title: Safety and efficacy of 2,790-nm laser resurfacing for chest photoaging.
abstract: Chest photodamage is a common cosmetic complaint. Laser treatment of the chest may be higher risk than other areas. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of 2,790-nm chest resurfacing for photodamage. Twelve patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III were enrolled in this university IRB-approved study. Photo documentation was obtained at baseline and each visit. A test spot with the 2,790-nm resurfacing laser was performed on the chest. Patients who did not have adverse effects from the test spot went on to have a full chest resurfacing procedure. Patients were instructed on standardized aftercare, including sunscreen. A 5-point healing and photodamage improvement scale was used to rate improvement by both investigators and the patients and was obtained at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months. One pass chest treatment with the 2,790-nm resurfacing laser at fluences greater than or equal to 3.0 mJ with 10% overlap leads to unacceptable rates of hyperpigmentation. Double pass chest treatment at fluences less than or equal to 2.5 mJ with 10% overlap leads to mild improvement in chest photodamage parameters without significant or persistent adverse effects. Laser treatment of aging/photodamaged chest skin remains a challenge due to the delicacy of chest skin. Mild improvement may be obtained with double pass resurfacing with the 2,790-nm wavelength.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1450 NW 10th Ave, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Grunebaum
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Murdock
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cofnas
authors.forename: Joely
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaufman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D015595:Skin Aging; D013909:Thorax / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome