title: Treatment of skin laxity of the lower face and neck in older individuals with a broad-spectrum infrared light device.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-ablative approaches with infrared and radiofrequency energy sources have been shown to reduce skin laxity, but studies have focused on individuals with early-stage, mild-to-moderate degenerative dermal changes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an infrared light device for the treatment of skin laxity in patients with soft tissue ptosis of the lower face and neck characteristic of the sixth decade of life and beyond.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen females, aged 58-83 years old (average: 64 years), were treated with a filtered 1100-1800 nm infrared light-based device. All individuals presented with ptotic soft tissue, but varied in the extent of skin laxity from no visible laxity to having pendulous excess skin. Two treatment sessions were provided at monthly intervals. The individuals returned for follow-up visits at 1, 3 and 6 months after the second treatment. Twelve of the individuals completed the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Changes were dramatic for those individuals in whom the skin envelope appeared to drape separately from deeper soft tissue. No treatment complications were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infrared light source-induced skin tightening may be induced even in older individuals.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10022, USA. drdavidgoldberg@skinandlasers.com
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Goldberg
authors: Mussarrat
authors: M
authors: Hussain
authors: Amin
authors: A
authors: Fazeli
authors: Alexander L
authors: AL
authors: Berlin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015595:Skin Aging