Dr. Lee Sam-mi(Lee & Ahn Clinic)
The Q-switched laser and IPL are the most widely used treatment modalities for treating melasma and pigmentary lesions. They allow quick procedures and have short downtime, making them essential devices for aesthetic clinicians. However, the Q-switched laser and IPL require repeated treatments and have limited efficacy in faint pigmentary lesions.
The thulium laser is free from these limitations and may be a better choice for treating pigmented lesions. Lavieen is a 1927nm thulium doped fiber laser with a water absorption higher than that of Er:glass and lower than that of CO2. Using the skin ablative threshold of thulium that falls between those of Er:glass and CO2, Lavieen offers quicker and more effective pigment treatments. Moreover, the thulium laser rejuvenates the skin and effectively corrects eye-area wrinkles and large pores. The water absorption of thulium is about 10 times that of 1550nm laser and most of the energy is absorbed in the basal layer. As its chromophore is water and not melanin, it can be used in various pigmented lesions regardless of the color. Histologically, the thulium laser preserves the stratum corneum and coagulates epidermis and upper dermis. Lavieen is unique among thulium lasers in that it offers a choice between the non-ablative and subablative methods. Depending on the type of the lesion, the doctor can choose to coagulate or ablate the dermis.
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Lavieen uses fractional irradiation and delivers energy to the basal layer and upper dermis while leaving the upper epidermis intact. As the upper epidermis is preserved, downtime is minimal. It also brings a tightening effect as it removes pigments scattered in the basal layer and coagulates the upper dermis. As the epidermis is ablated without damaging the epithelium, downtime is short and a single treatment can effectively remove various imperfections and faint pigmented lesions. This feature allows Lavieen to simultaneously provide pigment removal, wrinkle reduction and tightening.
Lavieen uses three modes; toning, stamp and pigment lesion modes. The toning mode is used for reducing pain and preventing grid marks
The toning mode uses the following parameters; duration 1800/ energy 10W/ distance: 0.9mm/ overlap 0. One treatment of Lavieen brings results comparable to that of 3 toning treatments. The stamp mode allows even delivery of energy. Overlap the laser beam twice over the same area when using the stamp mode. On average, 60,000 to 80,000 shots are delivered in the entire face, and the following parameters are used depending on the facial area.
Outer Face: Duration 800/ Energy 10W/ Distance 0.8/ overlap 1
Inner face: Duration 1200/ Energy 10W/ Distance0.8/ overlap 1
The pigment mode with a longer duration may cause severe pain. The less painful rejuvenation mode should be used for the full-face treatment, followed by pigment mode only on the pigmented lesion (Duration 3600/ Energy 5W/ Distance0.7/overlap 1).
Using various combinations of these three modes, one treatment of Lavieen can bring better results than several toning treatments. Living up to its nickname “BB laser,” Lavieen is a comprehensive laser therapy that simultaneously tackles pores, wrinkles and elasticity.
Lavieen.
-To be continued-
