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One‐pass resurfacing with a combined‐mode erbium: YAG/CO 2 laser system: a study in 102 patients
Author(s) -
Trelles M.A.,
Allones I.,
Luna R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04643.x
Subject(s) - ablative case , medicine , er:yag laser , laser , erbium , surgery , optics , nuclear medicine , dermatology , materials science , physics , radiation therapy
Summary Background The CO 2 and erbium: YAG (Er: YAG) lasers have been used for skin resurfacing. A recently developed system combines pulsed ablative Er: YAG and continuous wave subablative CO 2 wavelengths in one console. Objectives To assess the potential benefits of this system. Methods The study follows 102 women, skin types I–V, with 26 full face, 48 perioral and 28 periocular resurfacing procedures. The ablative Er: YAG pulse (350 μs, 29 J cm −2 ) is followed immediately by a non‐ablative CO 2 laser shot (4–6 W, 50 ms) through the same collimated handpiece (3‐mm diameter spot), 50% overlapping, repetition rate 10 Hz, giving two‐pass equivalence with one single pass. Results Patients scored the results as very good ( n = 67), good ( n = 25) and fair ( n = 10). Mild but successfully resolved side‐effects occurred in only four patients. The 2‐month histology showed a good band of new collagen tightening the overlying healthy epidermis. Follow‐up periods ranged from 1·5 to 2 years (mean ± SD 1·76 ± 0·33). Conclusions This device at the above settings offers speedy resurfacing without compromising the quality of the procedure for the patient, and may well satisfy the basic requirements of laser skin resurfacing.