Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-991182
Laser Resurfacing
Publication History
Publication Date:
20 November 2007 (online)

ABSTRACT
In a society desiring images of beauty and youthfulness, the world of cutaneous surgery offers the gifts of facial rejuvenation for those determined to combat the signs of aging. With the development of novel laser and plasma technology, pigmentary changes, scarring, and wrinkles can be conquered providing smoother, healthier, younger-looking skin. This review highlights five of the most popular resurfacing technologies in practice today including the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, the erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser, combination resurfacing, fractional photothermolysis, and plasma resurfacing.
KEYWORDS
Laser resurfacing - CO2 laser - Er:YAG laser - Fraxel™ laser - plasma resurfacing
REFERENCES
- 1 Anderson R R, Parrish J A. Selective photothermolysis: precise microsurgery by selective absorption of pulsed radiation. Science. 1983; 220 524-527
- 2 Fitzpatrick R E, Tope W D, Goldman M P et al.. Pulsed carbon dioxide laser, trichloroacetic acid, Baker-Gordon phenol, and dermabrasion: a comparative clinical and histologic study of cutaneous resurfacing in a porcine model. Arch Dermatol. 1996; 132 69-471
- 3 Fitzpatrick R E. Maximizing benefits and minimizing risk with CO2 laser resurfacing. Dermatol Clin. 2002; 20 77-86
- 4 Papadavid E, Katsambas A. Lasers for facial rejuvenation: a review. Int J Dermatol. 2003; 42 480-487
- 5 Kauvar A NB, Geronemus R G. Histology of laser resurfacing. Dermatol Clin. 1997; 15 459-467
- 6 Goldman M P, Fitzpatrick R E. Cutaneous Laser Surgery. The Art and Science of Selective Photothermolysis. St. Louis, MO; Mosby-Year Book 1994: 198-258
- 7 Alster T S, Nanni C A, Williams C M. Comparison of four carbon dioxide resurfacing lasers: a clinical and histopathologic evaluation. Dermatol Surg. 1999; 25 153-159
- 8 Fitzpatrick R E, Smith S R, Sriprachya-anunt S. Depth of vaporization and the effect of pulse stacking with the UltraPulse CO2 laser. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1999; 40 615-622
- 9 Bernstein L J, Kauvar A NB, Grossman M, Geronemus R G. Scar resurfacing with high-energy, short-pulsed and flashscanning carbon dioxide lasers. Dermatol Surg. 1998; 24 101-107
- 10 Ross E V, McKinlay J R, Anderson R R. Why does carbon dioxide resurfacing work?. Arch Dermatol. 1999; 135 444-454
- 11 Nanni C A, Alster T S. Complications of cutaneous laser surgery. Dermatol Surg. 1998; 24 209-219
- 12 Nanni C A, Alster T S. Complications of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing: an evaluation of 500 patients. Lasers Surg Med. 1997; 20 53-58
- 13 Kaufmann R, Hartmann A, Hibst R. Cutting and skin-ablative properties of pulsed mid-infrared laser surgery. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1994; 20 112-118
- 14 Hibst R, Kaufmann R. Effects of laser parameters on pulsed erbium:YAG laser skin ablation. Lasers Med Sci. 1991; 6 391-397
- 15 Zachary C B. Modulating the Er:YAG laser. Lasers Surg Med. 2000; 26 223-226
- 16 Kaufmann R. Role of erbium:YAG laser in the treatment of aged skin. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2001; 26 631-636
- 17 Avram D K, Goldman M P. The safety and effectiveness of single-pass erbium:YAG laser in the treatment of mild to moderate photodamage. Dermatol Surg. 2004; 30 1073-1076
- 18 Tremblay J F, Carey W. Atrophic facial scars secondary to discoid lupus erythematous: treatment using the erbium:YAG laser. Dermatol Surg. 2001; 27 675-677
- 19 Goldman M P, Marchell N, Fitzpatrick R E. Laser skin resurfacing of the face with a combined CO2/Er:YAG laser. Dermatol Surg. 2000; 26 102-104
- 20 Hamilton M M, Hobgood T. Emerging trends and techniques in male aesthetic surgery. Facial Plast Surg. 2005; 21 324-327
- 21 Laubach H J, Tannous Z, Anderson R R, Manstein D. Skin responses to fractional photothermolysis. Lasers Surg Med. 2006; 38 142-149
- 22 Geronemus R G. Fractional photothermolysis: current and future applications. Lasers Surg Med. 2006; 38 169-176
- 23 Manstein D, Herron G S, Sink R K, Tanner H, Anderson R R. Fractional photothermolysis: a new concept for cutaneous remodeling using microscopic patterns of thermal injury. Lasers Surg Med. 2004; 34 426-438
- 24 Bogle M A, Arndt K A, Dover J S. Evaluation of plasma skin regeneration technology in low fluence full-facial rejuvenation. Arch Dermatol. 2007; 143(2) 168-174
- 25 Kilmer S L, Weiss R A, Geronemus R G et al.. Ablative vs nonablative skin rejuvenation: is there a middle ground?. Skin Aging Suppl. 2006; Jan 21-24
Ramsey F MarkusM.D.
Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Baylor Dermatology
6620 Main St., Suite 1425, Houston, TX 77030