Fractional laser photothermolysis for treatment of facial wrinkles in Asians.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of fractional photothermolysis (FP) in the treatment of facial wrinkles in Asians.


METHODS
A total of 27 Korean patients (Fitzpatrick type III or IV) received 2-3 FP treatment sessions (Sellas; Dinona Inc., Seoul, Korea) spaced two weeks apart. Treatments were performed at settings of 7 to 9 mJ/microthermal treatment zone (MTZ) and a density of 1000 MTZ/cm(2). Standardized digital photographs were obtained before each treatment and three months after the final treatment. The evaluations of clinical photographs were performed by three physicians blinded to the study subjects using a five-point grading scale. In addition, the patients' perceived degree of improvement was assessed three months after the final treatment using a five-point grading scale. Side effects were monitored at each follow-up visit.


RESULTS
The physicians' assessed degrees of improvement were excellent in three patients (12%), significant in ten (40%), and moderate in seven (28%). The patients' self-assessed degrees of improvement were excellent in five patients (20%), significant in 11 (44%), and moderate in six (24%). Adverse events were limited to transient pain, erythema and edema, except in one case of transient postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.


CONCLUSIONS
FP is an effective treatment modality for reducing facial wrinkles with minimal side effects in Asian patients.
Lee
Hun
H
Department of Ophthalmology, The Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Yoon
Jin Sook
JS
Lee
Sang Yeul
SY
D000328:Adult; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015595:Skin Aging