Biomedical subjects

Eric F Bernstein

Publications and source records attributed to Eric F Bernstein.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

A pilot investigation comparing low-energy, double pass 1,450 nm laser treatment of acne to conventional single-pass, high-energy treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laser treatment using a 1,450 nm diode laser has been shown to improve acne and acne scarring. Its widespread adoption in younger populations has been significantly limited by discomfort. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six subjects with active papular acne were treated in a pilot study to determine parameters for a split-face, double-pass, low-energy protocol of 1,450 nm laser treatment. Sides of the face were randomized to receive single-pass, high-energy treatment (13-14 J/cm(2)), or double-pass, low energy treatment (8-11 J/cm(2)), for a total of four treatments delivered at monthly intervals. Acne counts and standardized, digital photograph were performed 2 months following the final treatment, and compared to pre-treatment counts and photographs. RESULTS: Improvement was evaluated comparing pre- and post-treatment photos and averaged 2.5 for the high-energy, single-pass side and 2.3 for the low-energy, double-pass side, using a 0 (worse) to 4 (max improvement) scale. Acne counts were reduced 78% on the high-energy, single-pass side and 67% on the low-energy, double-pass side. Pain ratings on a 1 (min) to 10 (max) scale averaged 5.6 (range 1-9) for the high-energy, single-pass side and 1.3 (range 1-2) for the low-energy, double-pass side. CONCLUSIONS: Low-energy, double-pass 1,450 nm laser treatment effectively reduces acne counts 2 months post-treatment, and dramatically reduces the pain associated with treatment. The treatment parameters used in this study have eliminated the need for anesthetic cream in daily practice.

Acne Vulgaris↗

PubMed2007

The new-generation, high-energy, 595 nm, long pulse-duration, pulsed-dye laser effectively removes spider veins of the lower extremity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lower-extremity spider veins are a cosmetic problem that poses formidable clinical difficulty for laser removal. They are significantly harder to remove than facial telangiectasias. A new-generation, pulsed-dye laser (PDL), capable of administering pulses that clinically behave like true 40-millisecond pulses has been developed, by doubling the number of sub-pulses comprising each laser pulse. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III were enrolled in the study and treated to 35 sites. Subjects were treated three times at 6-week intervals using an average fluence of 20.4 J/cm(2), a 3 x 10 mm spot, and a dynamic cooling device to protect the epidermis. Digital photographs were taken before initiating treatment and 8 weeks following the final treatment. RESULTS: Mean improvement scores using a 4-point scale as rated subjectively by the treating physician were 0.92 (<25%), 2.7 (approximately 40-50%), and 3.6 (approximately 65-75%), 6 weeks following 1st and 2nd treatments and 8 weeks following the 3rd and final treatment, respectively. Improvement was also determined by three physicians, rating digital photographs and blinded as to which photographs were pre- or post-treatment. They rated improvement as mild (0-25%) in 10.5% of photographs, moderate (26-50%) in 15.2%, marked (51-75%) in 38.1%, and excellent (76-100%) in 6.3%. There was no textural change in any treatment site. CONCLUSIONS: The new-generation, high-energy, 595 nm, long pulse-duration, PDL effectively removes lower-extremity spider veins in subjects with skin types I-III.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Measurement of protection afforded by ultraviolet-absorbing window film using an in vitro model of photodamage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The effects of chronic sun damage including telangiectasias, solar lentigos, rhytides, enlarged pores, sagging skin, and pre-cancerous and cancerous growths are among the most common presenting complaints in a dermatologist's office. These changes are often worse on the driver's side of the face, emphasizing the role of UVA exposure received while driving in producing these changes. This study was undertaken to measure the ability of car window glass alone and in combination with ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing film to reduce UV-damage as measured using an established in vitro model of photoprotection. STUDY DESIGN MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the 3T3 neutral red uptake photoprotection assay with solar simulating radiation (SSR) administered by a xenon arc solar simulator, we measured the photoprotection ability of auto glass, window film that filters UV radiation, and the combination of window film and auto glass. RESULTS: As measured by the 3T3 neutral red uptake photoprotection assay, auto glass reduced cell death from SSR by 29%, while window film reduced it 90%, and the combination of auto glass and film reduced cell death by 93%, when compared to unfiltered SSR. CONCLUSIONS: Window film that filters UV radiation results in dramatic reductions in cytotoxicity when measured by the neutral red uptake photoprotection assay. Widespread use of window film provides an ever-present barrier to ultraviolet A (UVA) exposure and could potentially reduce the detrimental effects of UVA, including photoaging, skin cancer, and ocular damage, such as cataracts. In addition, such film is essential for patients suffering from conditions sensitive to UV radiation, such as lupus erythematosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

High-energy 595 nm pulsed dye laser improves refractory port-wine stains.

BACKGROUND: Port-wine stains respond quite well to 585 nm pulsed dye laser treatment, but often clearance is not complete. We investigated a prototype, a high-energy 595 nm pulsed dye laser capable of delivering up to 9.5 J/cm2 using a 10 mm circular spot, with a 1.5 ms pulse duration. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine if the high-energy, 595 nm, variable-pulse duration pulsed dye laser could improve port-wine stains that had become refractory to conventional treatment. METHODS: Twenty patients were entered into the study and treated with the high-energy, 595 nm, variable-pulse duration pulsed dye laser using fluences ranging from 7.5 to 9.5 J/cm2, a 1.5 ms pulse duration, and a 10 mm spot size. RESULTS: Average improvement was rated as 40% prior to the initiation of the study after an average of 8.8 treatments at an average energy of 7.9 J/cm2 with the 585 nm pulsed dye laser and 76% following an average of 3.1 treatments with the high-energy 595 nm pulsed dye laser using an average fluence of 7.9 J/cm2. Dermal spectrometer erythema measurements improved from 2.2-fold that of normal skin to 1.5-fold that of unaffected skin. CONCLUSIONS: The high-energy 595 nm pulsed dye laser improves port-wine stains that have become refractory to the conventional 585 nm pulsed dye laser.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Efficacy of the 1.5 millisecond pulse-duration, 585 nm, pulsed-dye laser for treating port-wine stains.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Some reports have suggested that 1.5-millisecond pulse-duration pulsed-dye lasers (PDLs) may have increased efficacy in treating port-wine stains (PWSs) as compared to previous generation lasers. We study the efficacy of the 1.5-millisecond pulse-duration PDL for treating PWSs. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 104 areas of involvement by PWSs in 95 subjects with the 1.5-millisecond pulse-duration PDL. Subjective and objective measures of improvement were utilized. Twenty-one of these PWSs had failed treatment with earlier generation PDLs. RESULTS: PWSs previously refractory to the shorter pulse duration lasers responded well to treatment, as did PWSs not previously treated with any laser. CONCLUSIONS: The 1.5-millisecond pulse-duration PDL is effective for treating PWSs and may offer improved efficacy over shorter pulse-duration lasers.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Multicenter study of the safety and efficacy of a 585 nm pulsed-dye laser for the nonablative treatment of facial rhytides.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a 585 nm flashlamp pulsed-dye laser for the nonablative treatment of facial rhytides. METHODS: A multicenter prospective randomized controlled study on 58 volunteers was performed. A split-face approach was adopted, with one periorbital region acting as a control and the other receiving either one or two treatments. Patients were photographed and imaged three-dimensionally before and after treatment. Histologic sections were analyzed. RESULTS: Three-dimensional topographic evaluation showed improvements of 9.8% (p = .0022) and 15% (p = .0029) in surface roughness for single and double treatments, respectively. Histology revealed an increase in type I collagen messenger ribonucleic acid expression, type III procollagen, chondroitin sulfate, and grenz zone thickness. Two treatments resulted in greater improvement than one treatment. CONCLUSION: Clinical improvement was achieved following a single treatment. Further improvement was observed following a second treatment. The subjective evaluation of clinical improvement was consistent with both histologic and topographic quantitative measurements.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Hair growth induced by diode laser treatment.

BACKGROUND: Although hair reduction by long-pulsed red and infrared lasers and light sources is generally quite effective, paradoxical hair growth has rarely been observed following treatment. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of thick hair growth following 810 nm diode laser treatment and its subsequent treatment. METHODS. A 24-year-old man who had previously had laser hair reduction on his posterior neck was treated to a test area on his upper back. RESULTS: Thick terminal hair developed in the treated area subsequent to laser treatment. Further treatment of this area removed the terminal hair but resulted in terminal hair growth in an annular distribution surrounding the treatment site. CONCLUSIONS: Diode laser treatment rarely stimulates terminal hair growth. This phenomenon should be studied to better understand hair growth cycles and to help develop more effective treatments for hair loss and hair growth.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The polyhydroxy acid gluconolactone protects against ultraviolet radiation in an in vitro model of cutaneous photoaging.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages skin through a variety of mechanisms, including the generation of free radicals. Gluconolactone is a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that is capable of chelating metals and may also function by scavenging free radicals, thereby protecting skin from some of the damaging effects of UV radiation. OBJECTIVE: This study measured the ability of gluconolactone to protect against UV radiation-induced damage. METHODS: The ability of gluconolactone to prevent UV radiation-induced elastin promoter activation was determined in vitro using a transgenic model of cutaneous photoaging. Gluconolactone was also evaluated to determine its ability to promote the formation of sunburn cells in human skin after exposure to UV radiation. RESULTS: Gluconolactone provided up to 50% protection against UV radiation, as measured in our in vitro system, and did not significantly increase sunburn cells in human skin. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the ability of the PHA gluconolactone to protect against UV radiation-induced elastin promoter activation. In addition, in vivo studies demonstrated that gluconolactone treatment does not result in a significant increase in sunburn cells. Further investigation of this and other PHAs is necessary to identify their potential role in preventing and repairing cutaneous photodamage.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Chemical peels.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed2002

Reactive oxygen species activate the human elastin promoter in a transgenic model of cutaneous photoaging.

BACKGROUND: Generation of free radicals has been shown to play a role in cutaneous alterations resulting from ultraviolet radiation. OBJECTIVE: Cells from a previously described in vitro transgenic model of cutaneous photoaging were exposed to reactive oxygen species to determine if this results in elastin promoter activation. METHODS: Reactive oxygen species were generated using a hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase system, and elastin promoter activation was measured using cells derived from transgenic mice containing the human elastin promoter. RESULTS: Free radical generation resulted in a greater than sixfold increase in elastin promoter activity, and this increase was blocked with the addition of catalase. CONCLUSION: Elastin promoter activation may play a role in the generation of solar elastosis in photoaged skin. Utilizing hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase with the in vitro transgenic photoaging model results in a sensitive system for evaluating agents that may prevent oxidative damage.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Laser treatment of tattoos.

Tattooing has been around since the early beginnings of modern civilization. Modern tattoo artists use a myriad of colors to produce striking designs, resulting in permanent works of body art; however, we humans have been changing our minds since the beginning of time. Our fickle nature results in the desire to change what has been placed as a permanent reminder of a friend, spouse, or work of art. Removing tattoos began with abrasive and destructive measures to destroy the tattoo, and unfortunately, the skin it was contained in. The discovery of selective photothermolysis, the ability to selectively remove target structures without disrupting the surrounding skin, made it at least possible to remove tattoos without destroying the surrounding skin leaving a scar. Theory predicted that pulse durations in the nanosecond domain would be optimal for tattoo removal, and the Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet, alexandrite, and ruby lasers fulfilled this need. Too often, older lasers or intense pulsed light sources are used to treat tattoos, often with significant scarring. Since the advent of the Q-switched lasers more than a decade ago, improvement in tattoo-removal lasers has been incremental. Developments leading to new tattoo inks, feedback systems to detect the absorbance characteristics of tattoo inks, dermal clearing agents, and perhaps even shorter pulse-duration lasers should result in improved results for the future.

Humans↗