Non-Ablative Laser & Light Devices

CoolTouch
1320 nm is well absorbed by water, and as such is a good wavelength to cause localized heating of the collagen bundles high up in the dermis. This laser has been demonstrated to improve the tone and quality of the skin, in part by tightening up the uppermost layers of the skin.

SmoothBeam

1450 nm is even better absorbed by water than the 1320 nm, and this device has become the darling of several prominent laser surgeons for acne scarring, fine wrinkles, and tightening of the skin of the neck and face.

In my opinion, neither of these lasers above gives totally predictable results, and patients should be cautious about over optimistic predictions. Having said that, I have seen some nice results with acne scarring, and in some cases these results were comparable with laser resurfacing and dermabrasion. But this is not the norm.

Intense Pulsed Light

Much of the improvement that can be seen in patients treated with the non-ablative lasers is achieved with this device. It will reliably improve blood vessels, pigmentation, and ‘tone’ of the skin. What, you might ask, is the ‘tone’. Essentially it relates to the way that light is reflected off the skin. Youthful skin has excellent tone and texture, and reflected light makes the skin look bright and true rather than dull and fatigued.

 V-Beam/V-Star

The pulsed dye laser was originally designed to treat port wine stains. But today it is used by many laser surgeons for the treatment of photodamaged skin. Specifically, the red blotchy skin associated with aging, sun damage, or rosacea can be improved dramatically with this laser after 1-3 treatments.  Individual blood vessels or telangiectases can be removed easily and without scarring. 

Fraxel

Fractionated resurfacing (Fraxel) is a new technique for creating controlled heating to the skin in a safe and uniform manner, while avoiding many of the more morbid associations of traditional laser resurfacing. By laying down myriads of tiny three dimensional cylinders of laser energy, the patient can gain improvement in skin color, tightness, reduction in wrinkles, and general laser toning of the skin. 

4-6 treatments are generally required, each separated by a month.  In general patients will have some redness and swelling after surgery, with some flaking of the skin. Otherwise this procedure appears to have many of the ideal characteristics for optimal healing.  Only time will tell to see if this reaches the potential that we are all hoping for.

Thermage

Radiofrequency delivered in a controlled fashion to heat the dermis with a reverse thermal gradient.  Very interesting technology, with new elements that appear to make this faster, safer, and more predictable. We are beginning to see results that are convincing, and as such the Thermage system is likely to be a major player in skin tightening and rejuvenation for some time. Whereas about 75% of patients will see real improvement in their appearance, 25% may see very little. Such is the price one pays for a no downtime procedure with the potential for significant benefit.  

Thermage, the parent company, has put a huge amount of money and time into bona fide research protocols, and is an ethical and trustworthy company.

Titan

If radiofrequency can achieve dermal tightening, why not photons? This is the principle behind the Titan, a splendid double-entendre. Early results are mixed, but any success in this field would open a floodgate of interest by consumers and physicians alike!  Let’s not get carried away too soon ….

Gemini

How I love the 532 nm lasers. Old, but good, and very reliable. And Iridex has a real hit with this one.  Powerful, fast, large spot, variable parameters, great cooling; all good news for those that believe that 532 nm lasers are good for photoaging!  But which wavelength is not good for photoaging?

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