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Free electron laser infrared wavelength specificity for cutaneous contraction
D L Ellis1, N K Weisberg, J S Chen
1Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Vanderbilt University and Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, Tennessee 37232-5227, USA. Darrel.Ellis@mcmail.Vanderbilt.edu
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
|July 28, 1999
Summary
New infrared laser wavelengths targeting protein modes show promise for skin tightening. These specific wavelengths induced significantly greater cutaneous contraction than traditional CO(2) lasers, suggesting a novel approach for skin resurfacing applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Dermatology
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Current cutaneous resurfacing utilizes CO(2) lasers targeting water molecules.
- CO(2) lasers induce acute cutaneous contraction, a measurable effect.
- Investigating alternative laser wavelengths targeting protein structures is hypothesized to enhance contraction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of specific infrared laser wavelengths in inducing cutaneous contraction.
- To compare the effects of Free Electron Laser (FEL) wavelengths with a scanned CO(2) laser.
- To explore the relationship between protein vibrational modes and skin tightening.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Vanderbilt University Free Electron Laser (FEL) at wavelengths from 6.0-8.6 micrometers.
- Quantified cutaneous contraction and assessed histologic thermal damage.
- Compared FEL laser effects against a standard scanned CO(2) resurfacing laser.
Main Results:
- Identified peak cutaneous contraction at FEL wavelengths of 7.2-7.4 and 7.6-7.7 micrometers.
- These FEL wavelengths were three times more effective at inducing contraction than the 10.6 microm CO(2) laser.
- Histologic analysis revealed a consistent ~40 micrometer collagen denaturation zone across tested FEL wavelengths.
Conclusions:
- The mechanism for infrared laser-induced cutaneous contraction is not fully understood but appears independent of collagen denaturation.
- Infrared lasers targeting protein vibrational and rotational modes offer potential for selective cutaneous applications.
- Specific FEL wavelengths demonstrate superior efficacy for inducing cutaneous contraction compared to CO(2) lasers.