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Efficacy and safety of long pulse Nd:YAG laser versus fractional erbium:YAG laser in the treatment of facial skin wrinkles

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Abstract

Fractional lasers such erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) are among popular options for facial rejuvenation. Lasers with infrared wavelength ranges such as long pulse Nd:YAG have been used in nonablative rejuvenation of skin with variable outcomes. In this study, we plan to compare safety and efficacy of fractional Er:YAG and long pulse Nd:YAG for facial rejuvenation applying objective and subjective measurements. Twenty-five patients with Glogau photo aging scale of II to IV were recruited in this randomized face-split double-blind controlled trial. Individuals received three monthly treatments on two sides of the face; one side was treated by fractional Er:YAG laser and the other side by long pulse Nd:YAG laser. Outcomes were evaluated by two blinded dermatologists, patient satisfaction reports and objective measurements of cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT). Both modalities significantly improved periorbital wrinkling, nasolabial folds, dyschromia and skin laxity, and sagging of jowls (p value < 0.05), with no noticeable difference between two lasers. Mean CRRT values decreased significantly after treatment with both lasers. The downtime was significantly lower for the Nd:YAG-treated side. Fractional Er:YAG laser and long pulse Nd:YAG has comparable effects in facial rejuvenation but little to no downtime of the latter makes it popular for many patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: IRCT2015120320468N3

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Role of funding source

This study has been funded by Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences with grant number of 94.162.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Skin Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Sahar Dadkhahfar & Reza M. Robati

  2. Eye Research Center, Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Kaveh Fadakar

Authors
  1. Sahar Dadkhahfar
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  2. Kaveh Fadakar
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  3. Reza M. Robati
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Correspondence to Reza M. Robati.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences with number of Ir.sbmu.ram.rec.1394.418. This project was performed according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The protocol was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT2015120320468N3).

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All of the subjects signed a written informed consent after explanation of the procedure.

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Dadkhahfar, S., Fadakar, K. & Robati, R.M. Efficacy and safety of long pulse Nd:YAG laser versus fractional erbium:YAG laser in the treatment of facial skin wrinkles. Lasers Med Sci 34, 457–464 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-018-2614-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-018-2614-6

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