This edition of the Journal starts off with 4 different papers describing various different ablative lasers used for different purposes. In the first, Gold et al look at the Chinese experience in using a fractional CO2 laser for the purposes of skin rejuvenation. This is followed by Baruchin's novel explanation for the healing effects of Er: YAG laser induced skin rejuvenation. Collawn then evaluates the treatment of a very difficult problem, melasma, with a fractional carbon dioxide laser. Lastly, Alcántara González describes the treatment of rhinophyma associated cystic lesions with an ablative fractional Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet laser.
The next 2 papers describe the use of near-infrared lasers. In the fist Xia describes the evaluation of a vacuum assisted hand piece as compared to a sapphire cooled hand piece used with an 800 nm diode hair removal laser. In the subsequent paper the impact of an 810 nm diode laser on hair and skin is evaluated.
Home use lasers and light sources have become increasingly popular. Some do show efficacy; many do not. Town describes a multi center safety study looking at a low fluence, home-use intense pulsed light (IPL) device on Fitzpatrick Skin Types I–IV while Sadick evaluates the treatment of acne using a combined light and heat energy device.
The remaining 3 studies expand the diversity of topics in this edition of the Journal with Rendon describing the volumetric treatment of hands with injectable poly-l-lactic acid, Narurkar evaluating in an open-label trial the efficacy and safety of a pre- and post-procedure topical system used to complement energy based cosmetic treatments while Tajirian reviews sutures and other skin closure materials used for cosmetic procedures.