ASLMS: Insights from the Annual Meeting

Last month, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) held its annual meeting in Atlanta. Thousands of laser medicine experts from around the world attended this conference to learn and to share the latest and greatest happenings in the field of laser medicine. Researchers and experts can present and discuss efficacy of new technologies and data regarding treatment outcomes and side effects. About 1,000 attendees from a diverse range of medical specialties, including dermatology, plastic surgery and dentistry, were at this year’s 3-day meeting, which was proceeded by 2 days of focused educational workshops. The ASLMS says it recognizes that many of the applications in one subspecialty may have current or future use for other subspecialties. Suzanne L. Kilmer, M.D., president of the ASLMS, says the meeting was a success with greater attendance this year than ever. She describes the meeting as great place for a forum between scientists, clinicians and industry. She says it’s also a great place for different specialities to come together and discuss how research and treatments in one field may be of use to another. Orthopedic surgeons are doing a lot of work with tightening of the joints, which is helping dermatologists develop better treatments for tightening skin. According to Dr. Kilmer, one of the meeting’s hottest topics was non-ablative photorejuvenation. Research has continued in this area, she says, and we know that several systems all seem to work, but it’s still unpredictable who will respond to treatment and how much improvement will be seen. Another topic that was popular at this year’s meeting was vascular lesion treatment, particularly treatment of deep, dark purple vascular lesions, says Dr. Kilmer. Hair removal also remained a topic of great interest to many attendees. Many papers were presented at the conference showing the effectiveness of hair removal technologies. Workshops covered laser parameters for treating cutaneous vascular lesions, non-ablative light and rejuvenation and diagnosis of various diseases such as cancer. Courses covered issues such as laser safety, laser treatment of leg veins, laser resurfacing and skin rejuvenation, laser and light source hair removal and basic laser biophysics. Scientific sessions on aesthetic applications were among the most popular, as they have been since 1996. Highlights Here’s a brief rundown on some of the most innovative topics from the meeting. • Photomodulation. David McDaniel, M.D., presented a scientific paper on his new concept of “Photomodulation.” His paper was based on a multi-center study he conducted along with Robert Weiss, M.D., Roy Geronemus, M.D., and John Newman, M.D. They determined low-energy light dosimetries, wavelengths and pulse parameters that optimize the production of procollagen. The study’s finding will be applied to the design of new LED-based devices that are eye-safe and effective when used in conjunction with certain cosmeceuticals. These cosmeceuticals include vitamins and essential nutrients to assemble collagen and powerful antioxidants to quench free radicals. Photomodulation, the use of low-energy light to accelerate or inhibit cell activity, is unlike laser technology that relies on high-powered coherent light to create heat energy. LED photomodulation triggers the body to convert light energy into cell energy without thermal injury to tissue. LEDs use less power than a 25-watt light bulb so they’re cool enough to treat all skin types and even the entire face at one time. Initial studies of 47 patients treated with the LED device showed an average of 44% improvement in the appearance of wrinkles, skin tone and skin texture. High patient satisfaction rates were noted as the LEDs cause little pain and are non-wounding. Dr. McDaniel compared photomodulation to photosynthesis in plants, explaining that while too much heat or light will cause a plant to wither and die, plants are able to synthesize low-level sunlight to thrive until harvest. • Treating Acne with Lasers. Of particular interest to dermatologists may have been the programs that focused on acne treatment using light devices. Candela Corp.’s 1450-nm Smoothbeam diode laser was one such device of note. Vic Ross, M.D., presented a study he conducted with colleagues at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. For their study, 24 patients were treated with a fluence of 16 J/cm2 and 40-milisecond spurts of cryogen cooling. Each subject underwent four treatments during a 3- to 4-week period, with a 24-week follow-up. After evaluation of histological sections after treatment, researchers found necrosis to the duct epithelium and sebocytes of the sebaceous glands. The researchers concluded that treatments of selective dermal heating with a 1450 nm laser along with cryogen spray cooling helped reduced active acne. • Laser Removal of Stretch Marks. Promising research was presented regarding the use of the excimer laser for the re-pigmentation of aged, white, disfiguring stretch marks. David J. Goldberg, M.D., director of laser research in the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY, presented his study on this topic, the first treatment that’s been able to improve the look of old stretch marks. Dr. Goldberg studied the progress of 10 patients treated for stretch marks weekly for 5 weeks. He found that the treatments re-pigment the stretch marks so that they are not as noticeable. The excimer laser, which is manufactured by Photomedex, is currently used to treat psoriasis and vitiligo. Looking Ahead While the meeting is over, Dr. Kilmer says, the society is working hard on new goals. The ASLMS has created a laser surgery task force, which she says will develop a certification program to recognize laser surgeons who have special training. The task force would also help to create special training courses, continuing medical education courses, and it would create standards for those with special laser training. The ASLMS has more than 3,000 members and promotes the clinical standards, research and education regarding the safe and ethical use of lasers and related technology in medicine and surgery. For more information or to find out about next year’s meeting, visit www.aslms.org. n