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Chapter 10: Home-use and Low-energy Laser and Light Devices

Kavitha K. Reddy; Roy G. Geronemus

INTRODUCTION

Small devices designed for self-treatment in the home and out-of-office setting represent a major direction of medical technology. As the technological revolution has advanced, most medical devices, including laser and light devices, have continually become smaller, lighter, and increasingly user-friendly. This has led to rapid developments in the home-use and low-energy device category (Table 10-1), which is undergoing the early phases of a likely massive expansion in capabilities and market share.

Table 10–1Home Use and Low-energy Devicesa
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Table 10–1 Home Use and Low-energy Devicesa
TYPE BRAND NAME WAVELENGTH (NM) FDA APPROVAL INDICATION SKIN TYPE DOSING POTENTIAL RISKS SAFETY FEATURES COST (US$)b
Fractional nonablative PaloVia 1410 Yes Periorbital rhytids Not described, caution advised in types III–VI Daily for 4 weeks, and then twice weekly; high, medium, or low setting Pigmentary changes; blistering, scabbing, scarring

Auto-shutoff

Skin contact sensor

 499
Fractional nonablative Code name “Kovar” 1435 No Not yet available Not described, caution advised in types III–VI Unclear; possibly twice weekly Not available Not available Not available
Diode HairMax LaserComb 655 Yes Androgenetic alopecia I–IV 8- to 15-min treatment, 3 times per week Ocular risk, avoid directly looking at light None specifically found 295
Diode LaserCap 650 No Androgenetic alopecia I–IV 30 min every other day Ocular risk, avoid directly looking at light None specifically found Request quote; currently available for sale only through authorized physicians
Diode MEP-90 Hair Growth Stimulation System 650 Yes Androgenetic alopecia in females I–IV 20 min twice weekly for 6 months or more Ocular hazard None specifically found Contact manufacturer for price
Diode Tria Laser 810 Yes Hair removal in brown and black hairs I–III Every 2 weeks up to 6 months or until hair does not regrow; 50% overlapping pulses recommended Ocular hazard (class I) White diffuser aperture reduces retinal hazard 395
Intense pulsed light (IPL) Silk’n SensEpil 475–1200 Yes Hair removal in brown and black hairs I–III, caution with darker skin types Every 2 weeks Ocular hazard, pigmentary changes Skin type sensor allows treatment on lighter skin types only; skin contact sensor 499
IPL Claro 400–1100 Yes Acne Not described, caution with darker skin types Daily 6-s treatment Ocular hazard, pigmentary changes None specifically found 195
IPL No!no! Skin 480–2000 Yes Acne (mild and moderate inflammatory only) I–III; caution in darker skin types Treat acne lesion with 2 pulses each 5 s apart; continue treating every 6–12 h until resolution Ocular hazard, burn, scarring, pigmentary change Recommend test on arm first for heat level 180
Ultraviolet (NB-UVB) Many; example Levia UVB 300–320 Yes Psoriasis I–VI Two to 3 times weekly Erythema, burn, pigment changes, ocular hazard Protective eyewear provided Contact manufacturer for price
Heat Zeno Hot Spot Heat; 118°F Yes Acne I–VI, caution in darker skin types Single 2.5-min treatment to acne lesion Burn, ...

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