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.
CONCLUSION
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.
