2025 AAD: What’s New and True for Energy-Based Devices 

At the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, Modern Aesthetics sat in on “What’s New and What’s True for Energy-Based Devices (EBDs).” The speakers of this lecture included Suzanne L Kilmer, MD, FAAD; Arielle N.B. Kauvar, MD, FAAD; Merete Haedersdal, MD, PhD, FAAD; Jill S. Waibel, MD, FAAD; Kristen Marie Kelly, MD, FAAD; Mathew M. Avram, MD, JD, FAAD; Roy G. Geronemus, MD, FAAD; and Eric F. Bernstein, MD, FAAD. The session highlighted evaluation of new devices as well as innovative uses of available devices. The speakers shared their expertise on topics from both a clinical and research perspective. 

Dr. Kilmer’s lecture was titled “The Future of Energy-Based Devices.” She said she expects EBDs to be used for combating the effects of rapid weight loss, which she said is “here to stay.” 

Key takeaways included:

• Providers should stay ahead of the potential for lax, or “saggy,” skin in patients who are using GLP-1 medications for weight loss. Revolumizing and tightening the skin paired with the use of muscle stimulation and a high protein diet are recommended. 
• The 2910nm Erbium laser provides improvement to scar treatment as it is kinder and gentler with less pain, there is little downtime, and fewer treatments are needed in all skin types. 
• The 1726nm laser cures acne and the device can be used for other sebaceous gland diseases, but it needs better parameters for sebaceous hyperplasia, rosacea, rhinophyma, and oily skin. 
• The multifocal fractional lasers are also gentler with less pain, little downtime, and fewer treatments in all skin types. 

The purpose of this course aimed for attendees to be able to define the newest techniques for dermatologic energy-based treatments; discuss energy-based technology options for common dermatologic conditions, such as vascular birthmarks, photodamage, and non-melanoma; and describe benefits and limitations of current treatments and areas with research needs.