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| ARTICLES The Future of Light Based
Skin Renewal Picture yourself getting a high-tech skin regeneration treatment simply by sitting in front of a special screen saver on your computer. According to researchers at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and Medicine, the same technology that lights clock radios and car dashboards may soon make such an anti-aging procedure possible. An exciting new device that uses non-wounding, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at specially calibrated energies is showing great promise as the next frontier in skin renewal. In his presentation entitled "Light-Tissue Interactions: Photothermolysis vs Photomodulation - Laboratory and Clinical Findings," dermatologic surgeon Dr. David McDaniel of Virginia Beach, VA, reported on the scientific theory of photomodulation that is behind the innovative LED device. Similar to pushing a button to activate an assembly line, photomodulation refers to using low-energy light to accelerate or inhibit cell activity. For anti-aging benefits, Dr. McDaniel and his research team investigated technologies that stimulate the skin's fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin proteins. Unlike laser technology that relies on high-powered coherent light to create heat energy, LED photomodulation triggers the body to convert light energy into cell energy without thermal injury to tissue. "Using LEDs we can modulate the cells by increasing the energy to the assembly line of fibroblasts to stimulate collagen production and regenerate aging or sun-damaged skin," explained Dr. McDaniel, assistant professor of clinical dermatology, Eastern Virginia Medical School. "Alternatively, we can de-energize the assembly line of fibroblasts and cause them to shut down and inhibit collagen formation in the case of acne scars." With less power than a 25-Watt light bulb, these LEDs are cool enough to uniformly treat all skin types and the entire face at one time. Initial studies of 47 patients treated with the LED device showed an average of 44% improvement in the appearance of wrinkles and skin tone and texture. Because LED treatment is safe, virtually painless and non-wounding, high patient satisfaction was noted among those treated for wrinkles and acne scars. "My patients appreciate the safety and convenience of LED treatment. They are able to come in the office, remove makeup, receive treatment, reapply makeup and be out the door in 30 minutes or less," said Dr. McDaniel. He also noted that photomodulation is a natural photobiochemical reaction very similar to the process of plant photosynthesis. While too much heat or light will cause the plant to wither and burn, plants have the ability to synthesize even low-level sunlight to grow and make fruit for harvest. In fact, NASA researchers are using vertical strips of LEDs to light food crops in space in hopes of sustaining human colonists on Mars. However, even with sufficient light, plants need the proper amounts of nutrients and water in the soil to grow to their full potential. The same is true with skin. To maximize the benefits of photomodulaton on the skin, a specially formulated topical cosmeceutical kit was designed for use prior to LED treatment. The state-of-the-art cosmetic system helps "supplement" the necessary raw materials the skin needs to regenerate. These agents include vitamins and essential nutrients to assemble collagen and powerful antioxidants to "quench" free radicals. Clinical results show that this integrated approach enhances the desired cellular effects of treatment. "Photomodulation with LEDs represents a breakthrough solution for skin regeneration that holds enormous potential for a variety of other dermatologic applications as well as other medical conditions," concluded Dr. McDaniel. "Toward that end, additional multi-center clinical studies are currently underway to better evaluate the treatment protocols." The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) was founded in 1970 to promote excellence in the field of dermatologic surgery and to foster the highest standards of patient care. For more information on laser treatments and referrals to skin surgery experts in specific geographic areas, please contact the ASDS Consumer Hotline, 1-800-441-ASDS(2737), during weekday business hours or log on at www.aboutskinsurgery.com. With more than 3,000 members, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) is the world's largest organization for the promotion of clinical standards, research, and education regarding the safe and ethical use of lasers and related technology in medicine and surgery. Its 22nd annual meeting is being held on April 10-14, 2002, in Atlanta, GA. For more information about ASLMS, visit its website at www.alsms.org or call (715) 845-9283. Spa Future? Try Laser and
Pulsed-Light Therapies The noninvasive approach offered by IPL is especially effective for treating signs of photoaging without the inflammatory response and other complications of laser resurfacing. Researchers at Tokyo Women’s Medical University recently treated 97 patients using IPL at 550 and 570 nanometers to determine the effectiveness of IPL photo rejuvenation. Each patient received three to six treatments at intervals of two to three weeks. The study reported in Dermatologic Surgery (Vol. 27, No. 7, 627-632) relied on the perceptions of both the doctors and patients to assess effectiveness. More than 90% of both rated pigmentation changes as “good” or “excellent”; more than 83% gave the same rating for improvement in dilated capillaries. - DaySpa Magazine Q: A friend recently told me about a process called photo rejuvenation as a treatment to reduce fine lines and sun spots. Does it actually work? -Katie, via E-mail ANSWER: Photo rejuvenation is a fairly new technology that dermatologists can use to treat aging skin - including discoloration, fine lines, and sagging. Intense pulses of multiple wavelength light are flashed across the face and into the skin without any heat or burning sensations. The penetration of the light causes the release of precursors of collagen that skin cells then turn into new collagen, tightening and firming the skin. The treatment also heals abnormal and broken blood vessels, as well as discoloration. The biggest advantage to photo-rejuvenation treatments, as opposed to laser resurfacing, is that there is no downtime after the procedure (which lasts 20 to 30 minutes). You may experience mild redness, but nothing that will cause you to cancel your dinner plans. It usually takes three to five treatments to see improvement in the skin - although the more damage you have to begin with, the longer it will take. I suggest you start early, when you first see symptoms. There’s no reason to fix something that isn’t broken, but you do want to address the problem before it gets serious. - Allure Magazine Non-Invasive Skincare Hot Topic at American Academy of Dermatology Conference - SPATRADE, 03/27/2003 The American Academy of Dermatology's 2003 Annual Meeting in San Francisco March 21st through 25th featured some of the newest technologies in skincare. One of the hottest topics in skincare is the use of non-invasive skin rejuvenation techniques that offer minimal recovery time. Dermatologist Robert A. Weiss, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., discussed the latest advancements in non-ablative skin rejuvenation and their effectiveness in treating common signs of aging, such as wrinkles, mottled skin tone and broken blood vessels. Photomodulation In a recent multi-center clinical trial, 90 female photoaged patients received an average of eight photomodulation treatments to determine the procedure's effectiveness at reducing the appearance of wrinkles, pigmentation, redness, pore size and roughness in the eye area of the face. "Clearly, photomodulation is an extremely safe and effective treatment option for patients looking to improve the appearance of aging and sun-damaged skin without any downtime", touted Weiss. "Continued improvement is seen even months after treatment." Photorejuvenation On the surface of the skin, photorejuvenation works by delivering shorter pulses of light that can reduce the signs of aging and sun damage, including fine wrinkles, freckles and irregular pigmentation, as well as redness and dilated capillaries commonly associated with rosacea. For best results, a series of four to six treatment sessions spaced approximately three weeks apart is recommended. Each treatment takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. "Photorejuvenation has been found to be extremely effective in improving the appearance of the neck, chest and hands - which can be difficult to treat because the skin is more delicate in these areas," said Weiss. Photorejuventation can also be used in conjunction with other procedures to enhance results, such as laser resurfacing, chemical peeling, and microdermabrasion. Recent studies have also found positive results combining Botox and photorejuvenation in one procedure. - Spatrade
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