title: 1,927-nm fractional thulium fiber laser for the treatment of nonfacial photodamage: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A 1,927-nm wavelength was recently added to the 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser. This wavelength possesses a higher absorption coefficient for water than the 1,550-nm, conferring greater ability to target epidermal processes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel 1,927-nm fractional thulium fiber laser in the treatment of nonfacial photodamage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine participants with nonfacial photodamage underwent three laser treatments (at 3- to 4-week intervals) at pulse energies of 10 to 20 mJ and 30% to 55% surface area coverage (4-8 passes) with a 1,927-nm thulium fiber laser. A blinded assessor and participants evaluated clinical improvement of treatment areas at 1-month follow-up using a quartile grading scale (0-4).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine participants with a total of 12 treatment areas completed three treatments and the 1-month follow-up visit. At follow-up, a blinded assessor rated mean improvement in photodamage as 3.25 ± 1.0 and lentigines as 3.33 ± 0.9 on a scale of 0 to 4 (0=none, 1=1-25%, 2=26-50%, 3=51-75%, and 4=76-100% improvement). Skin responses observed after treatment were moderate erythema, mild edema, itching, and desquamation. No scarring or postinflammatory hyper- or hypopigmentation was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 1,927-nm fractional thulium fiber laser is a safe, effective treatment for nonfacial photodamage. Dr. Polder is a principal investigator and Dr. Suzanne Bruce is a consultant for Solta Medical.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA. kristelpolder@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kristel D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Polder
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Leigh Ellen
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Eubanks
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bruce
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055100:Optical Fibers; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013932:Thulium; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013932:Thulium