Retrospective study on the safety and tolerability of clinical treatments with a novel Thermomechanical Ablation device on 150 patients

Abstract

Aging of the skin incorporates textural changes, wrinkles, and pigmentation. Treatment options for skin photoaging are plentiful and include chemical peels and energy-based devices such as ablative and non-ablative fractional laser devices and radiofrequency-based devices. [1][2][3][4] The fact that there are so many treatments suggest that none are perfect and there is a continuing development of new treatments that can improve the effectiveness and/ or safety of existing treatments.

Prospective Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Thermomechanical Fractional Injury for Perioral Rhytides

“…1–3 Although traditional resurfacing methods, including ablative and nonablative lasers, can be highly effective, they typically require the application of anesthesia to minimize treatment discomfort and are often associated with significant recovery time, especially with ablative modalities. 6,10,11…”

“…Notably, patients were able to use cosmetic makeup immediately after the treatment at lower settings, with no significant post-treatment downtime. 10 This device has also been shown to enhance percutaneous drug delivery, 8,12 improve periorbital rhytides, 9 and improve overall skin vitality and dyschromia. 6…”

“…[1][2][3] Although traditional resurfacing methods, including ablative and nonablative lasers, can be highly effective, they typically require the application of anesthesia to minimize treatment discomfort and are often associated with significant recovery time, especially with ablative modalities. 6,10,11 Thermomechanical fractional injury can offer clinical improvement of fine lines and wrinkles with minimal downtime and discomfort during treatment, without the need for any anesthesia. 9 A chart review of 150 patients treated with a thermomechanical fractional injury device for photoaging (n 5 145) and acne (n 5 5) demonstrated improvements in both conditions.…”

“…Notably, patients were able to use cosmetic makeup immediately after the treatment at lower settings, with no significant posttreatment downtime. 10 This device has also been shown to enhance percutaneous drug delivery, 8,12 improve periorbital rhytides, 9 and improve overall skin vitality and dyschromia. 6 This novel device is fractional and nonablative in nature and transfers thermal energy directly to the skin through conduction during brief skin contact, on the order of 5 to 18 ms. 9,10 Heat is delivered to the tissue via a grid of blunt, pyramidal, titanium tips that make contact with the skin without piercing it.…”

“…10 This device has also been shown to enhance percutaneous drug delivery, 8,12 improve periorbital rhytides, 9 and improve overall skin vitality and dyschromia. 6 This novel device is fractional and nonablative in nature and transfers thermal energy directly to the skin through conduction during brief skin contact, on the order of 5 to 18 ms. 9,10 Heat is delivered to the tissue via a grid of blunt, pyramidal, titanium tips that make contact with the skin without piercing it. 6,9 The ceramic base of this grid is heated to 400°C, which provides heat to the pyramidal tips.…”