Split-face comparison of the picosecond 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser using a microlens array and the quasi-long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for treatment of photoaging facial wrinkles and pores in Asians.
Sunmin YimYun Ho LeeYoung-Jun ChoiWon-Serk KimPublished in: Lasers in medical science (2019)
Skin photoaging manifests deeper wrinkles and larger pore size. Various lasers have been tried for rejuvenation of photoaging skin, and the quasi-long-pulsed 1064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser is one promising treatment option. New types of laser device are emerging, including devices operating with picosecond pulse duration combined with a microlens array, which are regarded as a new breakthrough for skin rejuvenation. We aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of the picosecond 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser using a microlens array compared with the quasi-long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser in a split-face design. We designed a split-faced, prospective study and enrolled 25 subjects with photoaging facial wrinkles and enlarged pores. Each facial area was randomly assigned to undergo treatment with either the picosecond 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser (Pico-arm) or the quasi-long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser (Quasi-arm). We performed five laser sessions at 2-week intervals, and final results were assessed after 20 weeks after the initial laser session. We used a five-point global assessment scale, wrinkle and pore index derived from 3D camera analysis. We enrolled a total of 25 subjects (24 females and 1 male) with Fitzpatrick skin types III to IV and a mean age of 63.8 ± 5.7 years. After treatment, 54.2% of subjects in the Pico-arm reported at least moderate improvement in visible pores compared with 41.7% of the Quasi-arm (P = 0.001). A total of 12.5% of subjects in the Pico-arm showed moderate improvement in wrinkles versus 4.2% of the Quasi-arm (P = 0.125). There was a 41.3% reduction in the pore index in the Pico-arm compared to a 3.9% increase in the Quasi-arm (P = 0.048). There was a 16.4% reduction in the wrinkle index in the Pico-arm compared with a 0.5% reduction in the Quasi-arm (P = 0.01). Pain assessment score was higher in the Pico-arm than the Quasi-arm (3.65 ± 1.70 vs 1.28 ± 1.28, P = 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred during the study. Our findings suggest that the picosecond 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser with a microlens array is as effective as the quasi-long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for treatment of photoaging wrinkles and pores.