Introduction: Fractional ablative procedures offer more robust results, with shorter recovery time and lower risk of adverse effects compared to non-fractional ablative methods. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a new fractional ablative technology employing Erbium laser(2,940nm) in facial photoaging. Methods: Female patients with moderate facial photodamage were subjected to treatment with a 2,940nm fractional Erbium laser (Palomar Inc., Burlington MA).The parameters varied from 5 to 9 mJ/µb, with pulses of a duration from 250 microseconds to 5 milliseconds.Two to six passes with a 50% overlap were carried out.The clinical evaluations occurred 3 days, 1,4,8 and 12 weeks, and 15 months after the procedure.Three dermatologists who were not involved in the study evaluated the global improvement of the photodamage before and 3 months after the procedures, by reviewing digital pictures, and classified the results according to the following scale: grade 1 = improvement less than 25%; grade 2 = improvement of 26% to 50%; grade 3 = improvement of 51% to 75% and grade 4 = improvement from 76 to 100%. Results: Female patients (n =12), aged 48 to 78 were studied.After 3 months, 23% of the patients were classified as grade 3, 55% as grade 2 and 22% as grade 1. Significant improvement (grade 2) was observed in 78% and 63% of the periorbital and perioral wrinkles, respectively.Two patients developed transitory post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Conclusion: The fractional Erbium laser was shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of moderate photoaging.

Keywords: ERBIUM, LASERS, ABLATION TECHNIQUES, REJUVENATION, LASER THERAPY

Introduction: The use of nutraceutical products in order to attenuate signs of skin aging has been proposed in the literature. The stimulus to the synthesis of substances that support the dermis is one of the mechanisms linked to this effect.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a nutraceutical compound containing lutein, lycopene, vitamin C and manganese for the synthesis of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.
Methods: An in vitro study was carried out based on the culture of human fibroblasts treated with the investigated product in different non-cytotoxic concentrations. The quantification of the elastin and collagen was performed with the assistance of spectrophotometric measurements. Hyaluronic acid was measure using a immunoenzymatic method.
Results: Cell cultures treated with the different concentrations of the product showed a significantly higher amount of synthesized collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid as compared to the untreated culture (p <0.05).
Conclusions: The use of the nutraceutical compound containing lycopene, vitamin C, lutein and manganese has shown in vitro efficacy for stimulating the synthesis of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, components that are crucial for providing the dermis' supporting structure, being responsible for the skin's firmness and elasticity.

Keywords: DERMATOLOGY; DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS; SKIN AGING