Resumen

Objectives: We aim to discuss a series of cases with patients from age groups in the 30's to 60's who have undergone laser fiber lifting and lipolysis with the 1470-nm wavelength. This series will also present variations in treatment goals and corresponding settings, as well as individual variations in post-treatment care. Introduction: There is an increased demand for skin tightening and facial contouring procedures with lasting results. The 1470-nm diode laser is an emerging option due to its cost-effectiveness as a non-surgical means of skin tightening via neocollagenesis and collagen remodeling, adipocytolysis, and improvement of skin quality via photobiomodulation. Materials / method: All patients underwent laser fiber lifting and lipolysis through insertion of the 1470-nm diode laser fiber at the subdermal and subcutaneous planes. Different parameters were used depending on patients' goals (skin tightening only vs. fat loss vs. both), age, and facial characteristics. The treatments were done on the mid- to lower face, submentum, and neck. Some patients opted for additional treatment on the undereyes. Results: Before and after photos show significant improvement in skin laxity, appearance of localized fat on the face and neck (e.g., jowling, submental fat), and prominence of facial folds. In younger patients, fat loss and facial contouring is a goal aside from skin tightening. In older individuals, fat loss is less desired and is only preferred in areas such as the jowls and submental fat. Conclusion: The overall improvement in facial and neck characteristics are attributed to a "shrink-wrap effect" from the neocollagenesis and collagen remodeling induced by the 1470-nm diode laser. The improved skin quality is also attributed to the photobiomodulation brought about by this wavelength.