Quantitative assessment of the long‐term efficacy and safety of a 1064‐nm picosecond laser with fractionated microlens array in the treatment of enlarged pores in Asians: A case‐control study

Abstract

Background Enlarged facial pores are one of the common skin signs of photoaging that patients seek treatment for. However, objective data and long‐term assessment on the efficacy and safety of therapeutic procedures for this condition are limited. Objective To objectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 1064‐nm picosecond laser with microlens array (MLA) for pore tightening. Methods Twenty‐five patients with enlarged pores received three treatments with a 1064‐nm picosecond laser coupled with MLA at 4‐week intervals. Patients were evaluated using objective (measurement of pore volume using three‐dimensional photography) and subjective (clinical evaluation by two blinded dermatologists) assessments at baseline and at the 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐month follow‐ups. Adverse effects were also recorded during each visit. Results After three treatments, there was a significant reduction of pore size from baseline (p < 0.001). The improvement in pore size appearance significantly continued from the 1‐month to the 6‐month follow‐up visits (p = 0.013). The total average pore size was 1.15652 ± 0.614322 and 0.8087 ± 0.50515 at baseline and at 6 months after the final treatment, respectively, resulting in an average of 30% reduction in pore size. No cases of dyspigmentation, textural alteration, or scarring were documented. Conclusion Fractional 1064‐nm picosecond laser appears to be effective and safe for reducing pore size in Asians with minimal transient side effects.

Nonablative monopolar radiofrequency for the reduction of facial pores and sebum excretion in Thai patients: A novel approach

“…These studies also found a reduction in pore visibility, by inducing dermal remodeling 9,15 and by thermally inhibiting sebaceous gland activity 11,12,15,16 . In contrast, the mode of action of lasers and EBDs predominantly relies on their ability to stimulate dermal remodeling surrounding the dilated pilosebaceous openings, resulting in improved pore appearance by pore size shrinkage and by the smoothening of the perifollicular surface 17–19 …”

An update on fractional picosecond laser treatment: histology and clinical applications

“…The results showed that after a single fractional picosecond 1064-nm laser treatment, the number of enlarged pores was 15.13% lower, while the diameter of the facial pores was unchanged [29]. In another study in Asians with enlarged pores treated with three monthly sessions of 1064-nm picosecond laser with MLA, there was a 30% decrease in average pore size at the 6-month follow-up [30]. The efficacy of fractional picosecond laser in the treatment of enlarged pores seems to need further study.…”

Characterization of picosecond laser‐induced optical breakdown using harmonic generation microscopy

“…5 With abundant intraepidermal melanin, particularly in darker skin types, steam expansion results in vacuole formation in the epidermis. 22 The extravasation of erythrocytes in the papillary dermis suggests that hemoglobin absorption also produces a thermal effect. Therefore, we hypothesize that the fractional picosecond Nd:YAG laser continued to produce photothermal effects in the papillary dermis immediately beneath the plasma-induced epidermal cavities.…”

“…In the picosecond pulse duration range, the thermal absorption of chromophores (melanin and hemoglobin) generates seed electrons, and the subsequent multiphoton ionization may induce plasma‐mediated optical breakdown of the irradiated skin 5 . With abundant intraepidermal melanin, particularly in darker skin types, steam expansion results in vacuole formation in the epidermis 22 . The extravasation of erythrocytes in the papillary dermis suggests that hemoglobin absorption also produces a thermal effect.…”

“…However, in cases wherein the LIOB vacuole is confined to the epidermis, the mechanism of dermal remodeling and neocollagenesis remains unclarified. An explanation might be that epidermal keratinocytes release cytokines or chemokines in response to epidermal injury, thereby stimulating dermal remodeling as a paracrine effect 17,22 . However, whether the injury is limited to the epidermal vacuoles, as observed in traditional skin histology, or whether other imaging technologies can detect signs of dermal remodeling remains to be elucidated.…”