The FDA has just approved an at-home laser device for removing eye wrinkles.
On Friday, June 5, 2009, the FDA gave Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. approval to market this eye wrinkles laser system over the counter directly to consumers. Palomar, which researches and develops light-based cosmetic treatment systems, developed the laser device in conjunction with Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies.
Joseph Caruso, CEO of Palomar, describes the eye wrinkles laser as a major breakthrough. “The professional treatment of fine lines and wrinkles using lasers has been well established and proven to be safe and effective for years in the doctors’ office using large and expensive lasers,” Caruso says. “With this breakthrough, consumers will be able to use similar technology in the privacy of their own home for a fraction of the cost.”
Dr. Marc Siegel, a practicing Internist and Associate Professor at the NYU School of Medicine, appeared on Fox News to discuss this new laser. He says that it’s a high-intensity laser light that you point at your eye wrinkles, and it actually destroys part of the skin tissue while leaving the elastic tissue. However, he states that “It doesn’t work that well. It is safe, and the FDA is probably right letting it go over the counter.” He also says that it’s “very expensive” at about $500, and it only reduces the appearance of “very tiny wrinkles.” Dr. Siegal says that you have to use it “2 or 3 times a day for 20 or 30 minutes over a long period of time in order to get it to work.”
He believes that the most effective eye wrinkle treatments can be found at the dermatologist office. Dermatologists use a more powerful laser called a fractionated CO2 laser, which uses carbon dioxide to get rid of wrinkles and works very well. Dr. Seigel also stated, “If you want to keep eye wrinkles away, use sunscreen, get plenty of sleep, exercise and don’t smoke.”
No word yet on when and where this eye wrinkles laser will be available for purchase.