BOCA RATON, FLA. A new light-emitting diode device awaiting approval and an expected expanded indication for a laser are poised to expand the dermatologic device armamentarium, Dr. Vic Narurkar said at the annual meeting of the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery.
"One of the most exciting technologies to come out this year is a dermal spectrophotometer, because it will be a way of determining the skin's erythema and melanin content," said Dr. Narurkar, a dermatologist in private practice in San Francisco.
This advance is needed because the Fitzgerald skin type classification is outdated, he explained. "Darker skin often gets lumped into the Fitzpatrick IV, V, and VI, when there are many variations within all of those skin types," he said.
A far better method is to have some type of computer model determine the pigmentation and redness, as well as the background pigmentation and redness.
Another reason for improving the current classification system is that coloring on the face and body may not match.
This LED device, manufactured by Palomar Medical Technologies Inc., is pending approval. The hope is that it will be released by summer's end, he said.
Photopneumatic laser therapy, another new device, manufactured by Aesthera Corp., has been cleared by the FDA for hair removal and skin rejuvenation. However, it is being used off label to treat acne and is in clinical trials for that indication.
The theory behind this device is very intriguing, in that is uses suction and lower wavelengths of light, explained Dr. Narurkar. "When we treat acne with lasers, we either try to destroy the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria with devices that are in the blue light wavelength, or we try to modify the sebaceous glands with devices that are in the red light wavelength," he said. A suction-based device can be brought closer to the skin and simultaneously is able to address both the P. acnes bacteria and the sebaceous glands. The photopneumatic laser uses a lower band of light, which allows for better absorption.
"In our clinical study, we saw an immediate improvement in the inflammatory component of acne, and then more of a delayed effect in the reduction of new acne lesions," Dr. Narurkar explained. "The device is in clinical trials right now."
Dr. Narurkar is a member of the medical advisory board of Aesthera, and he performs clinical studies for Palomar Medical Technologies.