Background: Lasers and devices are used to enhance transcutaneous delivery of fillers. However, little has been published on the histologic findings of this form of laser/device-assisted delivery to determine the optimal devices and fillers.
Objective: To objectively evaluate the histological effects of laser-assisted and device-assisted filler delivery.
Methods: Ex vivo human abdominoplasty skin samples were treated with fractional CO 2 laser (ECO 2 , 120 μm tip, 120 mJ), fractional radiofrequency microneedling (FRMN, Genius, 1.5 mm, 20 mJ/pin), and microneedling (2.0 mm). Immediately after poly- l -lactic acid (PLLA), hyaluronic acid gel, calcium hydroxylapatite, and black tissue marking dye were topically applied. After treatment, biopsies were collected for histologic evaluation.
Results: Histology revealed that PLLA and black dye were found in greatest abundance, hyaluronic acid was found to a lesser extent, and calcium hydroxylapatite was least found within channels created by fractional CO 2 laser. Microneedling was effective only at delivering black dye, whereas FRMN failed to show significant channel formation or delivery of the studied products.
Conclusion: Among the devices and fillers studied, fractional CO 2 laser and PLLA proved to be the most effective combination for laser/device-assisted filler delivery. Neither microneedling nor FRMN was effective as devices to enhance filler delivery.
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