Fractional Q-Switched 1,064-nm laser for the treatment of photoaged-photodamaged skin

Introduction: The Q-switched 1064-nm laser is associated with rapid vaporization and thermal expansion stresses leading to skin mechanical damage and is typically used for correction of exogenous and endogenous deep pigmentation. Giving the common place of fractional, infrared-domain milliseconds non-ablative lasers in aesthetic dermatology, a novel non-ablative fractional Q-switched 1,064-nm laser was studied for photoaged skin concerns. Materials and methods: Ten healthy female subjects (Age range: 35 - 53 years, mean: 44.3) and skin types I - IV were diagnosed with mild-to-moderate facial photo-damage, hyper-pigmentation, telangiectasia, laxity, skin roughness, and actinic keratosis. Subjects were treated with a new non-ablative fractional Q-Switched 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser (Harmony XL, Alma Lasers Ltd.). Treatments consisted of four sessions at 2 - 4 week intervals. Follow-up (FU) visits were 1 and 3 months following the final treatment. Results: Utilizing the Glogau scale, six Subjects were graded Type II (means wrinkles in motion), and four Subjects were graded Type III (means wrinkles at rest) at Baseline. At the FU2, 3-month post final treatment, 60% of the subjects were graded with at least a one-point improvement in the overall Glogau global assessment. Between baseline and FU2, Investigator assessments showed the following improvements: Hyperpigmentation 70%, Telangiectasias 80%, Laxity 80%, Tactile Roughness 60%, and actinic keratoses 60%. Pain assessment was reported between 0 and 2 in all treatments (scale 0 -10). Of expected side effects, erythema was most common, occasionally being reported as high as a 2(scale 0 - 10). No unexpected adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: The non-ablative fractional Q-Switched 1,064-nm Nd: YAG laser is safe and effective in improving signs of mild-to-moderate photodamage skin irregularities with no downtime, no pain to only minimal pain, and without any adverse side effects.