Comparison of Erbium:YAG and Carbon Dioxide Lasers in Resurfacing of Facial Rhytides

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
THE CLINICAL use of lasers in dermatologic disorders has increased significantly in past few years. The use of high-energy pulsed and scanning carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers (10,600 nm) allows clinicians to remove rhytides and other effects of photodamage. These lasers typically restrict the laser-tissue interaction time to less than 1 millisecond (thermal relaxation time of the upper part of the skin interacting with the laser) so that thermal diffusion is limited during the laser pulse. The resulting band of residual thermally altered collagen normally measures less than about 150 µm.1 One of the limitations of CO2 laser resurfacing is the incidence of adverse effects, specifically prolonged erythema and dyschromias. Also, some physicians prefer to use general anesthesia or intravenous sedation for full-face resurfacing to achieve adequate pain relief. The degree of postoperative erythema and time for reepithelialization keeps most subjects at home for about 2 weeks. Many otherwise ideal candidates are unwilling or unable to take the time off to recover from the procedure.