The invention provides a method and apparatus for stimulating skin tightening using a femtosecond diode laser irradiation system. The system comprises a femtosecond diode laser capable of generating laser light that has a wavelength of 300 nm-12,000 nm, a power level of 500 mw-1000 mw, and a pulse duration of less than 1 picosecond. A light-emitting device is coupled to the diode laser by means of flexible waveguide and is held over the skin. The device may be a handheld wand or an area pad comprising a plurality of light-emitting lenses on a surface of the pad. Laser setting controls are set to achieve a depth of photon absorption into the skin to reach the dermis and subcutaneous layer to stimulate fibroblasts to increase production of collagen and elastin fibers.

The invention provides a method and apparatus for removing tattoos and treating hyperpigmentation lesions in skin using a femtosecond diode laser irradiation system. The system comprises a femtosecond diode laser capable of generating laser light that has a wavelength of 300 nm-12,000 nm, a power level of 300 mw-1000 mw, and a pulse duration of less than 1 picosecond. A manipulable wand is coupled to the diode laser by means of flexible waveguide, and the wand is held over the skin to irradiate an area of the skin containing tattoo ink or a hyperpigmentation lesion. Laser setting controls are set to achieve a depth and rate of photon absorption and conversion to heat in the skin sufficient to fracture tattoo ink particles or damage melanosomes with a lesion in a time frame short enough to prevent thermal damage to adjacent tissue.

The invention provides a method and apparatus for stimulating subcutaneous fat reduction using a femtosecond diode laser irradiation system. The system comprises a femtosecond diode laser capable of generating laser light that has a wavelength of 1000 nm-10,000 nm, a power level of 500 mw-12 W, and a pulse duration of less than 1 picosecond. A light-emitting device is coupled to the diode laser by means of flexible waveguide and is held over the skin. The device may be a handheld wand or an area pad comprising a plurality of light-emitting lenses on a surface of the pad. Laser setting controls are set to achieve a depth of photon absorption into the skin to reach subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Disclosed herein are methods, apparatuses, and devices for treating skin, such as skin tightening or for treating diseases, disorders, and conditions that would benefit from tissue area or volume reduction, skin restoration, skin tightening, skin lifting, or skin repositioning. Such methods and devices include an ablative apparatus, a removal apparatus, and/or a positioning apparatus.

Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for combined magnetic and optical treatments, for example by combined applications of optical waves and magnetic fields. An optical waves generating device may be used to provide optical waves for optical treatment. Magnetic field generating devices may be used to provides time-varying magnetic fields for magnetic treatment.

Methods and systems for method for acoustic treatment of tissue to disperse vacuoles within the tissue. Some of the present methods and systems comprise: directing pulsed acoustic waves from the acoustic wave generator into the tissue containing the vacuoles. Some of the present methods include identifying the location of tissue containing vacuoles, and/or coupling (e.g., acoustically) an acoustic wave generator to the tissue containing the vacuoles.

Embodiments of an actuating device for actuating a needle cartridge and puncturing an epidermis with controlled depth. The actuating device includes a motor housed in a motor housing, an actuating rod driven by the motor and configured to actuate in a reciprocating motion, and an adjustment mechanism. The actuating rod is housed in a rod housing, the rod housing forming a device aperture configured to receive a needle cartridge and to attach to the needle cartridge. The adjustment mechanism interfaces with the rod housing and is configured to adjust a position of the rod housing relative to the motor housing while not rotating the rod housing relative to the motor housing.

Described herein are methods and apparatuses for the application of electric energy treatment(s) to skin tissue to alter pigmentation, and in particular to remove a tattoo. These methods and apparatuses may deliver pulsed electrical energy having a pulse duration in submicrosecond pulse range to provide high-field strength pulses that may effectively release tattoo ink and allow removal of tattoo ink regardless of ink color or composition.

A method of removing tattoos or pigmented lesions by generating at least two laser pulses having a pulse width in the picosecond range, where the peak power of each pulse is less than 15 GW/cm.sup.2 and where the spacing between the pulses is less than ten nanoseconds, and directing the pulses to the tattoo or pigmented lesion to be removed.

Embodiments include devices and methods configured to fractionally resect skin and/or fat. Fractional resection is applied as a stand-alone procedure in anatomical areas that are off-limits to conventional plastic surgery due to the poor tradeoff between the visibility of the incisional scar and amount of enhancement obtained. Fractional resection is also applied as an adjunct to established plastic surgery procedures such as liposuction, and is employed to significantly reduce the length of incisions required for a particular application. The shortening of incisions has application in both the aesthetic and reconstructive realms of plastic surgery.