title: A 35-month profilometric and clinical evaluation of non-ablative remodeling using a 1540-nm Er:glass laser.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As remodeling is getting more popular with patients, long-term studies are becoming necessary. The aim of this 35-month clinical study was to evaluate the long-term benefits obtained using a 1540-nm Er:glass laser for non-ablative remodeling of perioral and periorbital rhytids. The role of maintenance treatments was also investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven women with periorbital and perioral rhytids underwent a series of five treatments at 6-week intervals with an Er:glass laser. Five patients subsequently received two maintenance retreatments and six did not. The maintenance treatments were performed at 14 and 20 months. Silicone imprints were performed to measure anisotropy before treatment, at 6 months, at 14 months and at 35 months. Patient self-evaluation/questionnaire was also done to assess adverse effects and subjective clinical improvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For all 11 patients, the percentage of anisotropy reduction was 41.21% at 6 months, 51.76% at 14 months and 29.87% at 35 months. No adverse effects were noted. Patient satisfaction was high at the end of the evaluation. Retreated patients were more satisfied than non-retreated ones. However, there was no difference in the anisotropy factor between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of facial rhytids with a non-ablative 1540-nm Er:glass laser system can produce benefits that persist over 2 years after the last treatment.
authors.affiliation: Centre Laser Dermatologie & Phlébologie, La Croisée, Clapiers, France.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: Jean Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lagarde
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Turlier
authors.forename: Laetitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Courrech
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mordon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016880:Anisotropy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019233:Retreatment; D015361:Rhytidoplasty