Molly Wanner

Laser Hair Removal

ABSTRACT:  Since 1996, there have been numerous advances in hair laser removal that utilize melanin as a chromophore. All of the devices on the market may be used in patients with light skin (phototypes I–III) and yield hair reduction near 75%. The ruby (694 nm) laser, alexandrite (755 nm) laser, and diode (810 nm) laser, as well as intense pulsed light are commonly used devices for hair laser removal. The long‐pulsed Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser represents the safest device for hair removal in dark‐skinned patients because of its long wavelength, although the diode laser, alexandrite laser, and intense pulse light may be used. For treatment of light hair, combination radiofrequency and optical devices as well as photodynamic therapy are under investigation.

Effects of non-invasive, 1,210 nm laser exposure on adipose tissue: results of a human pilot study.

Laser radiation (1,210 nm) has been previously shown to be capable of selective photothermolysis of adipose tissue in vitro when applied non‐invasively. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of this laser in human subjects.

Effects of non-invasive, 1,210 nm laser exposure on adipose tissue

Laser radiation (1,210 nm) has been previously shown to be capable of selective photothermolysis of adipose tissue in vitro when applied non‐invasively. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of this laser in human subjects.

A review of lasers and light for the treatment of onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection that affects many individuals. Systemic therapies are effective, but are limited by their side effects and potential for hepatotoxicity. Topical therapies have less serious side effects, yet provide only limited efficacy due to their inability to penetrate the nail plate. These limitations have led to the investigation of laser and light‐based modalities as alternative treatment options for onychomycosis. This article will provide an overview and critical assessment of the field of laser and other energy‐based treatments for onychomycosis.

Association of splicing defects in PTEN leading to exon skipping or partial intron retention in Cowden syndrome.

Abstract. Cowden syndrome (CS) and Bannayan Zonana syndrome (BZS) are two autosomal dominantly inherited conditions characterized by hamartomas. Mutations in PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 10q23, have been identified in patients with phenotypic findings of both CS and BZS. These mutations are found throughout the entire gene, with exon 5 being the most common site, and include point mutations, insertions and deletions. To date, 11 point mutations at the splice junctions of the PTEN gene have been reported, however, data on the alterations in the transcripts have been lacking. In this study, we have identified three novel splice site mutations in PTEN, in two families with CS and in one individual with BZS. One mutation affected the splice-acceptor site, which resulted in out-of-frame skipping of an entire exon. By contrast, the other two mutations affected the splice-donor sites, and both showed inclusion of partial intronic sequences in the transcript due to activation of cryptic splice sites. These data demonstrate mRNA alterations as a consequence of splice site mutations in the PTEN gene.

Immediate skin responses to laser and light treatments: Therapeutic endpoints: How to obtain efficacy

Clinical endpoints are immediate or early tissue reactions that occur during laser treatment. They can guide the laser surgeon in delivering safe and effective laser treatment. Some endpoints act as warning signs of injury to the skin; others can indicate a therapeutic response. The first article in this series reviewed undesirable and warning endpoints, and this article focuses on desirable and therapeutic endpoints and their underlying mechanisms in laser surgery. We will also review treatments without clinical endpoints.

Uremic frost in a critically ill patient

MM Pol-Rodriguez, M Wanner, P Bhat and ME Grossman Department of Dermatology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, California, USA; Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA and Department of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA Correspondence: MM Pol-Rodriguez, Department of Dermatology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, 280 W MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, California 94611, USA. E-mail: marlyanne@gmail.com

Physical modalities for treating acne and rosacea.

Physical modalities provide an important adjunct to medical treatment of acne and rosacea. In patients who cannot tolerate or fail medical treatments, physical modalities offer an alternative approach. For cases of acne scarring, phymatous changes of rosacea, and rosacea-associated telangiectasia, physical modalities such as laser and light treatments represent the treatment of choice. We will review the use of laser and light treatments, photodynamic therapy, and other physical modalities such as targeted therapies for the treatment of acne and rosacea.

Use of Photodynamic Therapy and Sterile Water to Target Adipose Tissue.

BACKGROUND Neither photodynamic therapy (PDT) nor sterile water has not been well studied for the treatment of adipose tissue. OBJECTIVE This investigation studied 2 different modalities, verteporfin PDT and sterile water, on adipose tissue compared with control. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four light-skinned pigs were used. Test sites received verteporfin PDT or sterile water injection. Control sites received injection of verteporfin without PDT, normal saline injection, no intervention, exposure to laser only, or insertion of a needle or cannula only. Sites were evaluated clinically, by ultrasound, and with histology 4 to 6 weeks after treatment. RESULTS There was a decrease in adipose tissue by ultrasound after verteporfin PDT (15%, p < .001) and sterile water (2%, p = .23). Verteporfin without PDT showed a decrease in adipose tissue (17%, p = .21). All other control sites showed an increase in adipose tissue. Histologically, verteporfin PDT and sterile water showed moderate damage (median Grade 2, p < .001) 4 to 6 weeks after intervention. CONCLUSION Verteporfin decreased adipose tissue after treatment. Sterile water injection had a statistically significant effect on adipose tissue histologically but did not substantially decrease the adipose tissue by ultrasound 4 to 6 weeks after intervention. Longer follow-up may be needed.

Lasers for Adipose Tissue and Cellulite

The use of lasers and light devices for the removal of adipose tissue and cellulite represents a new and exciting frontier in the laser field. To date, there are few non-invasive devices in the laser field all of which can only claim limited efficacy. This chapter will review the laser, light sources, as well as devices with radiofrequency and ultrasound devices that currently purport to treat cellulite or adipose tissue.