Plastic fantastic - FDA approves at-home laser for wrinkles

   Smooth wrinkles at home with new laser technology

Earlier this week, news outlets buzzed with the announcement that the FDA has approved the first at-home laser for consumer use to reduce wrinkles.  Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc., the Burlington, MA company who pioneered laser-hair removal technologies in the 1990's, has been given the go-ahead by the FDA to create and market a laser device targeted to soften wrinkles around the eyes.

Expected to produce revenues in the billions of dollars, at-home beauty treatments are a hot spot for growth in the beauty world these days, and with good reason. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that over 11 million Americans had plastic surgery in 2007 and that figure just keeps growing.  Not only that, the multi-billion dollar skin care industry also continues to grow by leaps and bounds as advanced ingredients and technologies are discovered and incorporated into an ever vaster array of products.

The device will be marketed direct to consumers by Johnson & Johnson, Palomar's retail partner. However, unlike clinical treatments, no prescription will be required to purchase the device, making it convenient and accessible to anyone willing to shell out the cost, which according to the company, is expected to be "in the hundreds of dollars".  Proponents and opponents alike agree that the demand will most likely be high for the product, although opponents are quick to point out that even should the laser reduce wrinkles, nothing approved for at-home use will have the same impact as that administered by a trained medical professional.

Time will tell;  images of the product have yet to be released and Palomar is playing their cards close and keeping details under wraps until closer to the release date.  In the meantime, what do you think? Yay or nay to at home laser-skin treatments? The beauty junkie in me is positively tingling over this prospect.  Imagine - fewer wrinkles from the comfort of home!!?  At the same time, a large part of me is skeptical. I remember when EpiLady was supposed to forever change the way I dealt with my bikini line. It didn't. 

Either way, the technology is exciting, and who knows. One day soon we might all be nip-tucking our own wrinkles as casually as we brush our teeth each night and won't that be the cat's meow?

For more information, please see:

 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc

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