Abstract
The micropulsed 1444-nm neodymium-doped lipolysis laser exhibits favorable characteristics
for novel application in facial contouring. The study described herein is the first
clinical report of laser-assisted facial contouring (LAFC). We retrospectively reviewed
records of 478 LAFC patients (mean age 52) who underwent contouring of 1278 individual
mid- and lower facial treatment sites over 18 months. Along with clinical assessment,
study parameters evaluated among “original” and “modified” (where protocol updates
included deep dermal soft tissue coagulation as an optional step) protocol groups
included laser power, pulse energy, and total energy delivery as well as lipoaspirate
volume at each treatment site. Mean power and pulse energy were similar (within 5%)
and total energy use was greater (70% higher for mid- and lower face) in the original
protocol group. Lipoaspirate volume was similar for both groups for the midface (within
10%) but elevated in the modified protocol group for the lower face (40% higher).
Treatment complications were observed in 47 of 363 treatment sites (13%) in the original
and in 12 of 915 treatment sites (1%) in the modified protocol group with the majority
(63%) of the complications comprising over- versus undercorrections of desired tissue
contour. Clinical efficacy varied with improvements of mid- and/or lower facial contour
ranging from marginal to subtle to very apparent. LAFC as detailed herein is a novel
treatment modality that enables selective soft tissue removal for greater precision
in three-dimensional contouring of the face. Protocol modifications based on laboratory
and observed tissue photothermodynamics have improved LAFC safety.
Keywords
Laser lipolysis - facial contouring - midface - jawline - melolabial fold - jowl -
three-dimensional
