GLASS LAB · Medical Aesthetics Evidence Index 303 cells · 19,226 papers · 5,969 top-tier evidence
GLASS LABSkincare · Lifting · Pigment · Body evidence map

Pigment · Lifting · Body · Skincare · PubMed evidence map

The right procedure for your concern — we check whether it's actually proven.

Pick a concern like melasma, sun spots, sagging, or enlarged pores, and we compare procedures starting with the strongest evidence.

Browse procedure groups View all combinations
303Evidence cells
48Procedure mechanisms
5,969Top-tier papers
238Brand mappings

The main comparison axes

We look at four categories.

Procedures are only compared within the same category. Pigment lasers and lifting devices never share one scorecard.

01

Skincare

Texture, acne, scars, regeneration and hair

25 indications 105 cells 2,789 top-tier evidence
Acne / Scar / Texture Skin Quality Inflammatory / Specialty Hair Restoration Healing / Recovery
Microneedling RF Traumatic scar · Grade A Microneedling RF Active inflammatory acne · Grade A Picosecond laser pigment Photodamaged skin / texture · Grade A
02

Lifting

Laxity, contour, wrinkles and volume on one scale

36 indications 100 cells 1,110 top-tier evidence
Volume / Contour Wrinkle / Line Lifting / Laxity
Botulinum toxin a Glabellar lines · Grade A HA filler crosslinked Nasolabial fold · Grade A Monopolar RF lifting Body skin laxity · Grade B
03

Pigment

Melasma, spots, redness and tattoo removal on one scale

22 indications 47 cells 845 top-tier evidence
Pigment Vascular Tattoo
Picosecond laser pigment PIH · Grade A Picosecond laser pigment Melasma (epidermal) · Grade A Picosecond laser pigment Melasma (mixed / dermal) · Grade A
04

Body

Fat, contouring, hair removal, hyperhidrosis and intimate care

26 indications 51 cells 1,225 top-tier evidence
Hyperhidrosis Body / Fat Hair Removal Nail Intimate
Laser hair removal alexandrite ndyag Darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV-VI) · Grade B Onychomycosis laser Toenail onychomycosis · Grade B Injectable lipolysis deoxycholate or mesotherapy Submental fat · Grade B

Specific concerns

Within each category, drill down to specific concerns.

Color shows evidence strength; the numbers show paper counts and top-tier evidence counts.

01 Pigment 11 indications · 31 cells 536 top-tier · 1,252 papers 02 Acne / Scar / Texture 10 indications · 37 cells 461 top-tier · 1,106 papers 03 Volume / Contour 17 indications · 43 cells 449 top-tier · 1,639 papers 04 Skin Quality 5 indications · 36 cells 563 top-tier · 1,778 papers 05 Wrinkle / Line 8 indications · 9 cells 400 top-tier · 1,093 papers 06 Inflammatory / Specialty 4 indications · 9 cells 533 top-tier · 1,659 papers 07 Lifting / Laxity 11 indications · 48 cells 261 top-tier · 904 papers 08 Hyperhidrosis 5 indications · 8 cells 505 top-tier · 1,306 papers 09 Vascular 8 indications · 12 cells 263 top-tier · 939 papers 10 Body / Fat 8 indications · 30 cells 234 top-tier · 660 papers 11 Hair Restoration 3 indications · 11 cells 54 top-tier · 247 papers 12 Healing / Recovery 3 indications · 12 cells 1178 top-tier · 5,213 papers 13 Hair Removal 8 indications · 8 cells 206 top-tier · 599 papers 14 Tattoo 3 indications · 4 cells 46 top-tier · 220 papers 15 Nail 2 indications · 2 cells 256 top-tier · 536 papers 16 Intimate 3 indications · 3 cells 24 top-tier · 75 papers

Key evidence combinations

The combinations with the most evidence.

View all combinations
A · Very strong evidence base

Picosecond laser pigment

PIH

  • 48 RCTs/meta-analyses
  • 12 clinical/observational
  • 126 papers
 A · Strong evidence base

Picosecond laser pigment

Melasma (epidermal)

  • 23 RCTs/meta-analyses
  • 7 clinical/observational
  • 58 papers
 A · Very strong evidence base

Botulinum toxin a

Glabellar lines

  • 117 RCTs/meta-analyses
  • 37 clinical/observational
  • 313 papers
 A · Very strong evidence base

HA filler crosslinked

Nasolabial fold

  • 99 RCTs/meta-analyses
  • 29 clinical/observational
  • 262 papers
 A · Moderate evidence base

Microneedling RF

Traumatic scar

  • 8 RCTs/meta-analyses
  • 3 clinical/observational
  • 15 papers
 A · Strong evidence base

Microneedling RF

Active inflammatory acne

  • 13 RCTs/meta-analyses
  • 4 clinical/observational
  • 26 papers
 A · Strong evidence base

Picosecond laser pigment

Photodamaged skin / texture

  • 14 RCTs/meta-analyses
  • 8 clinical/observational
  • 61 papers
 A · Very strong evidence base

Photodynamic therapy

Actinic keratosis

  • 223 RCTs/meta-analyses
  • 111 clinical/observational
  • 845 papers

Index scale

The evidence indexed so far.

See total paper counts and the distribution by grade at a glance.

48Procedure mechanisms
109Specific indications
19,226Papers
3,449RCTs/meta-analyses
2,520Clinical/observational
128Grade A/B cells