title: Evaluating the safety and efficacy of the 1,440-nm laser in the treatment of photodamage in Asian skin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As the demand for diminished procedure-associated downtime continues to increase, nonablative fractional laser resurfacing is becoming a more popular intervention in the progression of photoaging. Patients with pigmented skin and a mild degree of photodamage may be particularly suited for a less intensive laser treatment. In this study, we have evaluated the safety and efficacy of a low energy, low density 1,440-nm fractional laser in the treatment of multiple signs of photoaging including dyspigmentation, wrinkling, tissue laxity, enlarged pores, and skin roughness in Asians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten Chinese subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V and visible signs of photodamage participated in this study. Patients received four treatments at 2-week intervals with a 1,440-nm diode-based fractional laser. Photographs were taken at baseline, 2 weeks after each of the first three treatments and 4 weeks after the final treatment. Images were evaluated independently by two physicians. Clinical improvement and adverse events were analyzed. Discomfort, heat sensation and overall patient satisfaction associated with the procedure were also quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this prospective single-arm study, signs of photoaging were examined after treatment with the 1,440-nm laser. Here we show that a series of four treatments with this device produced a mild improvement in skin texture, pigmentation, and wrinkling. Changes in pore size and skin laxity failed to reach statistical significance. Immediate after-effects of the procedure included erythema and edema which were transient and left no permanent sequela. A significant proportion of patients reported some degree of discomfort during the procedure despite use of a topical anesthetic. One patient developed a discrete, localized area of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation which completely resolved by the final follow up visit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low energy, low density nonablative 1,440-nm fractional laser produces a mild improvement in select signs of photodamage after four treatments without any long-term adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Hong Kong Dermatology and Laser Centre, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Shoshana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marmon
authors.forename: Samantha Y N
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Nicola P Y
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Johnny Cy
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Henry H L
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010781:Photography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000208:ethnology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Asians; fractional photothermolysis; nonablative; photoaging