Nd:YAG 1064nm lasers are proven to be one of the most effective laser modalities for generating new collagen in the papillary dermis, which results in the reduction of wrinkles. Such procedures can done be safely and effectively on any affected area of the body. Pam Bennett, RN, of the Skintastic Skin Spa has had highly successful results using the Aerolase LightPod Neo Nd:YAG 1064 laser.

Her latest success stems from a patient who had lost 86 lbs. over the course of a year from diet and exercise. Subsequent weight loss determined that a breast lift and tuck in her abdomen were necessary, but treatments for other anatomical areas remained in question. “We had been doing LightPod Neo treatments to the client’s face during her weight loss and she was surprised as just how much tightening she got from the treatments,” Ms Bennett said. In light of the amazing results that occurred on the prescribed area, the patient inquired if she could receive the same results on her arms and buttocks. Per the safety of the laser modality and efficacy of the previous treatments, Ms. Bennett planned out a new protocol for treatment.

“We did six treatments on the arms and ten treatments on the buttocks. The results we saw were pretty dramatic,” said Ms. Bennett. Each session consisted of four passes across the treatment site with a pulse duration of 0.65 milliseconds and a fluence of 28 j/cm2. The laser pulses were applied to a 3-inch wide by 6-inch long area at the bottom of each buttock. The laser treatment was well tolerated without any anesthesia or any form of skin cooling and the patient reported no treatment discomfort. No complications were observed and mild erythema was resolved within a few hours after treatment.

The effect of the laser treatments produced positive outcomes in terms of obvious reduction in wrinkles and an increase in skin tightening. The patient stated that she was highly satisfied with the results. This procedure, enabled by the novel LightPod Neo, allows for the treatment to be performed on all skin types without numbing, cooling, pain or discomfort.

Q:) What led you initially to purchase the LightPod Era?

A:) A gentle modality for skin resurfacing was a glaring hole in our suite of services. We only had chemical peels, which are inconsistent, or CO2 resurfacing, which is aggressive and costly to the practitioner.

Q:) What are the primary treatments for which have you been using the Era?

A:) We primarily use it for periocular and perioral skin resurfacing. Usually only a single treatment is performed, but we tend to provide one or two annual maintenance treatments.

Q:) Are you combining the Era treatments with other modalities?

A:) Yes, we always provide multi-modal treatments. For example, with wrinkles in the forehead and crow’s feet areas, we frequently treat with Botox first and then Era resurfacing after the muscles have been disabled by the Botox.

Q:) Are you using any specific techniques?

A:) Yes. Because the LightPod Era does not leave demarcation lines, it is possible to ablate partial areas of the face. For example, when treating crow’s feet, I treat along the specific wrinkle line – something that I call ‘functional unit’ – and feather around it, but I don’t need to treat the entire anatomic unit. Leaving that extra skin untreated is beneficial both in terms of reducing procedure time and minimizing the healing for the patient.

Q:) What else is included in the protocol?

A:) Aquaphor is applied to the treatment areas after the procedure. However I have found that I don’t need to prescribe antivirals such as Valtrex with each patient, so I have discontinued that.

Q:) Do you have any other feedback about the LightPod Era laser?

A:) Yes. The LightPod Era is a compact and cost-effective system that allows me to offer a uniquely gentle approach to skin resurfacing. It enables me to compete with other practices and specialties, yet with a lot less investment and less training required. This is ideal since my practice is mostly a surgical practice, with less emphasis on laser services.

(Dr. Rosen is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is the founding partner and medical director of the Plastic Surgery Group. For over a decade he has been a distinguished spokesperson for the American Society of  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, and has been recognized as one of our country’s premier plastic surgeons for ten years running through peer surveys by Castle Connolly Medical. He has owned the LightPod Era laser since mid 2007.)

We recently had the pleasure of training one of our new customers with laser expert Dr. James Gordon, an Oculoplastic Surgeon in White Plains, NY. During the training, Dr. Gordon demonstrated his expertise of laser skin resurfacing with the LightPod Era on a number of patients presented with a variety of deep wrinkles, large pores, sun damage and dyschromia. One of the subjects presented for treatment had deep wrinkles and extensive aging around the periocular region. After a 20 minute procedure, which reached a depth of 100 microns, the patient was administered Aquaphor over the treated region and was sent home. Within 5 days of the procedure, the patient showed remarkable facial rejuvenation with the eradication of both wrinkles and other aging elements, full skin re-epethelialization, and complete resolution of erythema and edema. The amazing transformation can be seen within the pictures on this page.

Not only does the Era allow deep ablation for the treatment of deep wrinkles, but the unique precision and control over the depth allows the Era to perform micro peels and sub ablative procedures for a full range of facial rejuvenation services.

Dr. A. Jay Burns, one of the practitioners at the forefront of skin resurfacing, concludes that at 6 months post-treatment, when collagen production and remodeling is finally complete, the average wrinkle improvement is as follows(1);

- 30-50% with CO2 Re:pair fractional ablative

- 15-30% improvement for Re:store fractional non-ablative

1. Burns, Dr. A Jay. “Dr Burns – Dallas’ Best Plastic Surgeon for Breast Augmentation and Facelifts | Dr. Jay Burns, Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute | Dallas, TX.” Dr Burns – Dallas’ Best Plastic Surgeon for Breast Augmentation and Facelifts | Dr. Jay Burns, Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute | Dallas, TX. Dr. A Jay Burns, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2013.

Our community is one to learn from. We can’t wait to see what is shared and look forward to interacting with both our current and prospective customers alike. See you in the Aerolase Clinical Forum.

- The Aerolase Team