The studies reported here demonstrate the feasibility of treating acne using a photothermal approach with a mid-IR laser and cryogen cooling.

A new nonablative laser device, Smoothbeam, has been under evaluation for nonablative wrinkle reduction in skin with minimal side effects. This device incorporates a laser at 1450-nm wavelength to heat the dermis and cryogen spray cooling to prevent epidermal damage. The thermal injury created is internal and imperceptible. The wound-healing response to this internal injury causes improvement in the appearance of skin wrinkles. Biopsies taken immediately after treatment showed mild residual thermal damage (RTD) at a depth range of 150 to 400 microm, which is the dermal zone where most solar elastosis resides. Biopsies from two months after treatment showed fibroplasia extending over a range of depths similar to the acute RTD zones. An improvement in wrinkle severity was noted on the treated side compared with the control side.