Complete eye rejuvenation: combined laser and GABA therapy

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes of a single combined session comprising fractionated Er:YAG (FS01) resurfacing followed by immediate topical GABA infusion for periorbital rejuvenation. We hypothesised that combining fractional Er:YAG resurfacing with immediate post-laser GABA infusion would produce improved periorbital outcomes across fine lines, laxity, and skin quality at four-week follow-up. Introduction: Periorbital ageing involves multiple layers: surface texture and photoageing, dynamic and static rhytids, dermal laxity, and support-layer changes. Single-modality approaches address only one layer. Fractionated Er:YAG resurfacing creates transient microchannels, enhancing topical penetration. Topical GABA and supporting actives (polyglutamate, hyaluronate, succinate) offer multimodal mechanisms targeting surface, dermal remodelling, and potential neuromuscular support. Materials / method: Observational pilot case series. Ten patients (9 female, 1 male; mean age 45.6 years; Fitzpatrick II–IV) with periorbital fine lines and laxity received one combined treatment session: Fotona SmoothEye (non-ablative Er:YAG, 3.5–5.5 J, 2–3.3 Hz) followed by FS01 fractionated Er:YAG (10–12 J/cm², Turbo 2, 1.7 Hz, 2 passes). md:ceuticals GABA Lift & Sculpt was infused by press-in technique within 45 minutes. Outcomes at 4 weeks: clinician-assessed photography, Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), patient-reported satisfaction (Visual Analogue Scale 0-10) and adverse events. Results: All 10 patients (100%) showed clinician-observed improvement across all domains at 4 weeks: fine line depth, periorbital laxity and tone, and skin texture and quality. GAIS: 4 patients improved (40%), 6 greatly improved (60%); 100% responder rate. VAS: mean pre-treatment 2.8 ± 0.92, post-treatment 7.9 ± 0.74; mean increase 5.1 points (p < 0.01). Adverse events: transient erythema only (all cases, 24–48 h, no intervention required). No post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, infection, or prolonged downtime recorded. Conclusion: A single combined session of FS01 fractional Er:YAG and immediate GABA infusion demonstrated feasibility, safety, and clinically meaningful four-week improvement in periorbital fine lines, laxity, and skin quality. This uncontrolled pilot series cannot establish efficacy superiority or isolate component contributions. Prospective split-face controlled study with blinded assessment, extended follow-up (12 weeks), and validated outcome scales is warranted to quantify effect size and clarify the independent role of topical GABA.