Treatment of Facial Wrinkels with Char-Free Carbon Dioxide Laser and Erbium: YAG Laser.
- Author:
Sung In CHO
;
Yang Che KIM
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Laser skin resurfacing;
CO2 laser;
Er;
YaG laser
- MeSH:
Aluminum;
Carbon Dioxide*;
Carbon*;
Erbium*;
Humans;
Lasers, Gas*;
Lasers, Solid-State*;
Necrosis;
Skin;
Water;
Yttrium
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
1999;37(2):177-184
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Laser facial skin resurfacing has become a method of treatment for photoaging and pigmentary conditions. Although excellent results can be obtained by high-energy, pulsed carbon dioxide(CO2) laser, significant morbidity exists due to the considerable thermal damage to the skin. The Erbium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet(Er: YAG) laser, with a wavelength of 2940 nm, is well absorbed in water. This leads to a very small zone of thermal necrosis, compared ta the CO2 laser. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of the combined use of the char-free CO2 laser and the Er: YAG laser in the treatment of facial wrinkles. METHODS: Forty-six patients, aged between 30 and 68 years, with facial wrinkles, were evaulated. Two types of resurfacing laser systems were utilized in this study, a high-energy, short-pulsed CO2 laser and a Er: YAG 1aser. Wrinkle improvement was evaulated by the patients satisfaction, clinical improvement, and photographic analysis before and after the resurfacing procedure. RESULTS: Twenty-six of the 46 patients had greater than an 80% improvement, and 19 patients had a 60-80% improvement. Only one patient showed a 50% or less improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of char-free CO2 laser and Er: YAG laser for facial wrinkles is a safe and effective modality for laser skin resurfacing.
