Korean J Dermatol.  1999 Feb;37(2):177-184.

Treatment of Facial Wrinkels with Char-Free Carbon Dioxide Laser and Erbium: YAG Laser

• Cho SI
• Kim YC

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.

Keyword

Laser skin resurfacing; CO2 laser; Er; YaG laser

MeSH Terms

Aluminum
Carbon Dioxide*
Carbon*
Erbium*
Humans
Lasers, Gas*
Lasers, Solid-State*
Necrosis
Skin
Water
Yttrium
Aluminum
Carbon
Carbon Dioxide
Erbium
Water
Yttrium