Five recent developments in dermatological lasers

Research showing that combination therapy with topical calcineurin inhibitors and excimer laser/light was more effective than excimer laser/light monotherapy in treating vitiligo was among the laser developments recently reported on Healio.com.

Other developments included research finding that nonablative fractionated lasers show efficacy in treating stretch marks and the FDA granting additional indications for the use of Syneron Candela’s CO₂ laser device:

Excimer laser/light combined with topical calcineurin inhibitors effective for vitiligo

Combination therapy with topical calcineurin inhibitors and excimer laser/light was more effective than excimer laser/light monotherapy in treating vitiligo, according to the recent study results.

Researchers in Korea conducted searches of Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases from inception through Dec. 15, 2014, to identify randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of excimer laser/light (EL) alone or in combination with topical agents for vitiligo. Read more

Nonablative fractionated lasers show efficacy in treating stretch marks

Patients with stretch marks displayed clinical and histopathological improvements after treatment with 1540-nm and 1410-nm nonablative fractionated lasers, according to recently published study results.

Researchers at the department of dermatology and cutaneous biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, studied nine patients (eight women; average age, 32.5 years) with abdominal striae distensae who were treated with six sessions at 3- to 6-week intervals. Read more

Q-switched 660-nm Nd:YAG laser effectively reduced melanin levels in facial lentigines

A Q-switched 660-nm Nd:YAG laser significantly reduced the objective melanin average when treating facial lentigines in Asian women compared with the 532-nm laser, according to study results.

Researchers treated half of each face of eight Korean women with Fitzpatrick skin type 3-4 and facial solar lentigines with either 660-nm or 532-nm Q-switched nd:YAG lasers. Read more

ASDS awards 10 research projects focusing on lasers, Mohs surgery

The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery announced in a press release that its Cutting Edge Research Grant program has awarded $96,000 to 10 new clinical research projects.

Jill S. Waibel

The grant recipients include Jill S. Waibel, MD, of Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, who will conduct research on “repigmentation of hypopigmentation: fractional laser vs. laser assisted delivery of bimatoprost vs. novel epidermal melanocyte harvesting system.” Read more

FDA expands indications for Syneron Candela’s CO₂ laser device

The FDA has granted additional indications for the use of Syneron Candela’s CO₂ laser device, according to a press release.

New indications include or the CO₂RE system include wrinkles, scars, a wide range of dermatology and plastic surgery indications, and gynecology applications, including vaginal treatments. Read more