Safety and Efficacy of a 1550㎚/1927㎚ Dual Wavelength Laser for the Treatment of Photodamaged Skin

Vic A Narurkar, Tina S Alster, Eric F Bernstein, Tina J Lin, Anya Loncaric

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fractional photothermolysis (FP) is a popular treatment option for photodamaged skin and addresses shortcomings of ablative skin resurfacing and nonablative dermal remodeling. Previous studies have demonstrated that FP using the 1550nm wavelength has led to improvement of ultrastructural changes and clinical effects associated with photodamaged skin in the deeper dermal structures, while treatment with the 1927nm wavelength has shown clinical effects in the superficial dermis. Both wavelengths produce precise microscopic treatment zones (MTZs) in the skin. The two wavelengths used in combination may optimize the delivery of fractional non-ablative resurfacing intended for dermal and epidermal coagulation of photodamage skin.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 1550/1927 Laser System (Fraxel Dual, Solta), using both 1550nm and 1927nm wavelengths in combination for treatment of facial and non-facial photodamage.

METHODS: Prospective, multi-center, post-market study in subjects with clinically identifiable photodamage (N=35) (Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV). Both 1550nm and 1927nm wavelengths were used at each treatment visit. Investigator assessment of the affected area(s) occurred at one week, one month and 3 months after a series of up to four treatments. Severity of adverse events (AEs) were assessed using a 4-point scale (where 0=none and 3=marked). Assessments included erythema, edema, hyperkeratosis, hyper- and hypo-pigmentation, scarring, itchiness, dryness, and flaking. Severity of photoaging, fine and coarse wrinkling, mottled hyperpigmentation, sallowness, and tactile roughness at baseline was assessed using the same scale. Investigators and subjects assessed overall appearance of photodamage and pigmentation based on a 5-point quartile improvement scale at all follow-up visits (where 0=no improvement and 4=very significant improvement [76%-100%]).

RESULTS: There was a positive treatment effect at all study visits, with moderate improvement (average reduction in severity of 21%-43%) observed 3-months after final treatment. Greatest reduction in severity of other benefit areas was at the 3-month follow-up visit, with a 21% and 30% decrease in severity in fine wrinkling and tactile roughness. No AEs or serious AEs were reported. Pain sensation during treatment was tolerable. Anticipated moderate erythema (mean score 1.6±0.5) and mild edema (mean score 0.8±0.7) were transient and resolved within 7-10 days. Anticipated and transient mild dryness (52% of subjects) and flaking (30%) were reported at the 1-week follow-up. There were no incidences of hyperkeratosis, scarring, or itchiness.

CONCLUSION: Treatments using both wavelengths associated with the combined 1550/1927 Laser System were well tolerated with limited, transient anticipated side effects and no serious AEs. Clinical efficacy in the appearance of photodamage and pigmentation was greatest following a series of up to 3 treatments.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(1):41-46.