Lasers: New Technology and Emerging Trends

Paul J. Carniol, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Fortunately, we practice Facial Plastic Surgery in very exciting times. Every year there are new technologies, lasers, and emerging trends. To optimize the care of our patients, it is important to know about these new developments.

As always, some of these new technologies and trends, for the most part, will be transient. This will probably be because of limited benefit or unanticipated morbidity. Others will prove to be a valuable addition to our armamentarium, and a new viable option for our patients. These will offer some distinct advantage to our patients, such as improved results, minimal recovery, less morbidity, or the ability to achieve a previously unattainable result. It is important to develop an understanding of each new technology and procedure as well as its associated variable results and risks.

In this edition of Facial Plastic Surgery, we present some of these new technologies for our readers to evaluate. These are not being endorsed, but rather are presented for your analysis. In coming months we will present more of these new technologies. As we go to press, there are already other new technologies and procedures for which we do not yet have adequate data for presentation. If you have any questions or comments about these, or would like to share your information, please contact our editorial staff.