Emerging technologies in aesthetic medicine: Nonablative skin tightening

Abstract

A number of techniques have been employed to reduce the appearance of rhytids and skin laxity, including dermabrasion, chemical peels, and surgical reconstruction. Over a decade ago, resurfacing lasers (e.g., carbon dioxide laser, erbium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser) emerged and remain the current gold standard for facial skin tightening. Patients are now demanding procedures with reduced downtime and sufficient clinical improvement. This has led to the development of a number of nonablative laser technologies with a more favorable risk–reward profile. Unlike ablative lasers, nonablative laser induce a dermal thermal injury without epidermal vaporization. The new technologies are discussed.