This research study aims assess whether the Difference Frequency Generation (DFG) laser could be a better alternative to the CO2 laser in terms of reduced side effects and patient downtime.
The primary goal of this study is to compare the pain score and wound healing time in healthy subjects undergoing low fluence fractional ablation using the DFG and CO2 lasers. The secondary objective involves assessing the impact of each laser on dermal vasculature using an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging system. Participants will be treated with the DFG and CO2 laser to the upper thighs. Photography, pain scores, and OCT imaging will be recorded over the course of the study visits. The investigators plan to enroll 23 healthy subjects to complete the study. Subjects must be equal to greater than 18 years old and may be any gender or Fitzpatrick skin type.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
23
MGH Clinical Unit for Research Trials & Outcomes in Skin
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
RECRUITINGVisual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score
Subjects will report pain score using VAS for the CO2 and DFG laser treated areas at Visit 1. The VAS is a 10cm long scale with 0cm representing "no pain" and 10cm representing "worst possible pain".
Time frame: 90 minutes
Wound healing time
Wound healing of the laser treated areas will be assessed and compared via photography at each visit.
Time frame: 1 month
Vessel density via OCT imaging
The OCT system will be used to assess re-epithelialization and dermal vasculature of laser treated areas at each visit
Time frame: 1 month
Vessel length via OCT imaging
The OCT system will be used to assess re-epithelialization and dermal vasculature of laser treated areas at each visit
Time frame: 1 month
Vessel thickness via OCT imaging
The OCT system will be used to assess re-epithelialization and dermal vasculature of laser treated areas at each visit
Time frame: 1 month
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