NORDLYS SELECTIVE WAVEBAND TECHNOLOGY TREATMENTS FOR REJUVENATION AND REDNESS IN ASIAN SKIN

ABSTRACT

The Nordlys system is configured with pre-set aesthetic and dermatologic treatments, including the Selective Waveband Technology (SWT) and the sub-millisecond pulses for photorejuvenation and to target vascular and pigment problems in the facial area. This case report features clinical cases performed with a new protocol that combines two Nordlys SWT handpieces VL 555 and PR 530 to achieve an optimal reduction in the appearance of facial photodamage, pigmented lesions, redness, and telangiectasias with minimal to no downtime.

STUDIES SHOW TREATING COMMON SKIN DISORDERS SUCH AS photodamaged skin, pigmented lesions, diffuse facial redness, and facial telangiectasias with Selective Waveband Technology (SWT) is faster, safer, and more clinically effective than the traditional broadband intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment1 because it uses less energy to achieve outstanding results by filtering out unnecessary higher wavelengths, which in turn leads to better patient comfort.

IPL systems emit a broad continuous spectrum of light between 400 nm and 1400 nm, with portions of the spectrum blocked using optical cut-off filters. The Nordlys™ multiapplication platform incorporates narrowband SWT technology to filter out the shorter wavelengths and longer infrared wavelengths leaving those that best correspond with the absorption spectrum of specific skin chromophores. This also minimises unnecessary excess heating to the surrounding tissue2. By delivering true submillisecond light pulses with high energy that focus on the wavelength ranges of 530‑750 nm or 555 950 nm with high absorption in haemoglobin and oxyhaemoglobin, the Nordlys system precisely targets diffuse facial redness, rosacea, and facial telangiectasias2-5. A powerful Nd:YAG laser, with a longer 1064 nm wavelength, targets deeper leg vessels with a diameter of 0.1 mm to 3 mm2. Fractional non-ablative skin resurfacing with the Frax 1550™ laser handpiece can be used to address textural irregularities, such as striae and acne scars2

Keywords

Pigment, redness, photoaging, Nordlys

The Nordlys system is configured with pre-set aesthetic and dermatologic treatments, including the Selective Waveband Technology (SWT) and the sub-millisecond pulses for photorejuvenation and to target vascular and pigment problems in the facial area*. The system also features fractional non-ablative capabilities for skin resurfacing and textural improvement.

This case report features clinical cases performed with a new protocol that combines two Nordlys SWT handpieces — VL 555 and PR 530 — to achieve an optimal reduction in the appearance of facial photodamage, pigmented lesions, redness, and telangiectasias with minimal to no downtime.

Methodology

All patients received a single-session treatment with the use of the SWT handpieces, consisting of two to four steps as described below. In most cases, pre-treatment with anaesthetic cream was not required as the pain score of the treatment was low — approximately 2 out of 10 points (0=no pain to 10=worst pain). Post-treatment patient care recommendations included regular moisturiser and sunscreen application. Patients were photographed before and 4–6 weeks after treatment using a standardised imaging system (Visia, Canfield Scientific Inc., Parsippany, NJ, USA).

Case reports

The first case was an Asian female with Fitzpatrick Skin Type III with freckles and photodamaged skin on both sides of the face. As a first step, the VL 555 handpiece was used to heat up the skin with a fluence of 10.4 J/cm2 using a 30 ms single pulse, 2–3 passes. The wider the pulse width, the deeper the penetration. The first step could provide gentle heat to the skin and prepare for later stimulation of subsequent heat on collagen.

To improve the redness over the entire face, the PR 530 handpiece was then used as the next step with the fluence set at 5.4 J/cm2 and a pulse duration of 2.5 ms with a 10 ms delay, split pulses. After steps one and two, the desired clinical endpoint was mild erythema.

Finally, the PR530 was used at a 5.4 J/cm2 fluence using a 2.5 ms single pulse to address the patient’s pigmented lesions until the clinical endpoint — brown spots appearing slightly darker — was achieved. Post-care moisturiser and sun protection were advised.

Step

Brightening and Improve

Discrete Pigmentation

Post-treatment care: Moisturiser and sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher

A B

| PIGMENTATION | CASE STUDY prime-journal.com | March/April 2023 ❚ 25

Post-treatment images demonstrate that the SWT treatment had significantly improved the patient’s skin colour and texture compared to the baseline photos (Figure 1).

In the second case, an Asian female patient with Fitzpatrick Skin Type III presenting with pigmented lesions and diffuse redness was treated with the PR 530 and VL 555 handpieces. The VL 555 handpiece was used with a fluence of 7.2 J/cm2 and a single 30 ms pulse for a total of three passes for skin rejuvenation. Next, the PR 530 was used over a fluence of 5.2 5.6 J/cm2 using a 2.5 ms with a 10 ms delay to reduce redness and brighten the entire face.

The PR 530 handpiece was also employed with a 5.2–5.4 J/cm2 fluence using a 2.5 ms single pulse to treat the patient’s pigmented lesions. Again, the clinical endpoint was mild erythema for steps one and two, and slightly brown spots lesions darkening for step three. As the patient did not have notable telangiectasia, step four was unnecessary. The patient was also advised to moisturise and use sunblock post-treatment.

The persistent erythema of the patient had significantly improved, and lightly pigmented lesions were cleared with no adverse effects. The patient was highly satisfied with the result. Post-treatment photos displayed a noticeable improvement in the patient’s facial redness, skin colour, and texture compared to pre-treatment photos (Figure 2).

In the third case, an Asian female patient with Fitzpatrick Skin Type III had pigmented lesions and diffuse redness

Key points

Using Selective Waveband Technology (SWT) in the Nordlys system is safe, comfortable, and clinically effective for patients in addressing common skin concerns

Three female patients with Fitzpatrick Skin Type III were treated using two Nordlys SWT handpieces and a new 2–4 steps protocol to target skin tone, vascular and pigmentation problems

All patients showed distinct improvement in skin conditions after one session without any complications or adverse events over both sides of the face due to photoaging. To rejuvenate the entire face, the VL 555 handpiece was used to deliver a 30 ms single pulse with a 7.2–10.4 J/cm2 fluence until mild erythema was perceived.

Case report results show that treating Fitzpatrick Skin Type III patients with Nordlys’ powerful, multifunctional SWT handpieces can optimally reduce and visibly improve a range of common skin conditions.

The PR 530 handpiece was then used to brighten the whole face using a 2.5 ms with a 10 ms delay pulse duration with a 5.4–5.6 J/cm2 fluence — again until mild erythema was achieved.

Next, the PR 530 handpiece was used to target the patient’s pigmented lesions using a 5.2–5.4 J/cm2 fluence with a 2.5 ms single pulse until the brown spots appeared slightly darker.

In the fourth step, visible vessels were targeted using the PR 530 handpiece with an 8.9–14.1 J/cm2 fluence and 10–15 ms single pulse until the telangiectasias became slightly darkened or disappeared. Moisturisers and sun protection were advised for post-treatment care.

The post-treatment photos showed a significant improvement in skin colour and texture compared to the baseline photos. Pigmented lesions and facial telangiectasias were effectively cleared (Figure 3).

No complications or adverse effects were reported in this case study.

Conclusion

This case study presents a single-session protocol to address multiple skin concerns, including, but not limited to dark spots, uneven skin tone and texture, and telangiectasias.

This simple 2- to 4-step approach allows users to combine different SWT handpieces and settings for optimal treatment outcomes according to patient needs.

All patients in this study had distinct improvement in their dark spots and skin tone after only a single session without any complications, or adverse events reported. Results showed that the Nordlys system is a powerful, comprehensive, multi-functional, and convenient device that, combined with different SWT handpieces, can improve multiple common skin conditions for Fitzpatrick Skin Type III patients.

Declaration of interest Candela Medical funded the submission of this case report

* It also targets vascular and pigment problems in leg veins, striae, or scars (with the Frax1550)

References

1. Bjerring P, et al. Facial photo rejuvenation using Two different intense pulsed light (IPL) wavelength bands, Lasers Surg Med, 2004;34(2):120-126.

2. Nordlys User Manual for EU, 2020.

3. Ellipse Frax 1940 510(k) clearance (K192951), March 2020.

4. Tirico MCCP, Jensen D, Green C, Ross

EV. Short pulse intense pulsed light versus pulsed dye laser for the treatment of facial redness. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2020;22:60-64.

5. Iyengar S. et al. (2018) Intense Pulsed Light (SWT®). In: Nouri K. (eds) Lasers in Dermatology and Medicine. Springer, Cham.