Laser resurfacing of the aging face

Abstract

Laser technology has evolved significantly over the last 30 years, and laser devices have become integral tools for skin rejuvenation in the hands of many plastic surgeons practicing today. The purpose of this article is to briefly review the history of aesthetic laser technology, to discuss patient selection and expectations for various laser devices, and finally to review the technology and applications of these devices.

Keywords

Lasers / plastic surgery / facial rejuvenation / laser resurfacing / aesthetic surgery / laser devices

References

[1] Weinstein C,Ramirez O.Complications of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing and their prevention.Aesthet Surg J1997;17:216-25

[2] Bass LS.Erbium:YAG laser skin resurfacing: preliminary clinical evaluation. Ann Plast Surg1998;40:328-34

[3] Pozner JM.Histologic effect of a variable pulsed Er:YAG laser.Dermatol Surg2000;26:733-6

[4] Pozner JN.Variable-pulse width Er:-YAG laser resurfacing.Clin Plast Surg2000;27:263-71

[5] Manstein D,Sink RK,Anderson RR.Fractional photothermolysis: a new concept for cutaneous remodeling using microscopic patterns of thermal injury.Lasers Surg Med 2004;34:426-38

[6] Geronemus RG.Fractional photothermolysis: current and future applications.Lasers Surg Med 2006;38:169-76

[7] Laubach HJ,Anderson RR.Skin responses to fractional photothermolysis.Lasers Surg Med 2006;38:142-9

[8] Laubach HJ,Anderson RR.A histological evaluation of the dermal effects after fractional photothermolysis treatment.Lasers Surg Med2005;36:86

[9] Rahman Z,Tse Y.The treatment of photodamage and facial rhytides with fractional photothermolysis. Lasers Surg Med 2005;36:32

[10] Rahman Z,Dover JS.Fractional laser treatment for pigmentation and texture improvement.Skin Therapy Lett2006;11:7-11

[11] Tannous Z,Anderson RR.Changes of epidermal pigment distribution after fractional resurfacing: a clinicopathologic correlation. Lasers Surg Med2005;36:26-32

[12] Wanner M,Alster TS.Fractional photothermolysis: treatment of facial and nonfacial cutaneous photodamage with a 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser.Dermatol Surg 2007;33:23-8

[13] Weiss RA,Bene N.Prospective clinical evaluation of 1440-nm laser delivered by microarray for the treatment of photoaging and scars.J Drugs Dermatol 2006;5:740-4

[14] Clementoni MT,Muti GF,Schianchi R.Non-sequential fractional ultrapulsed CO2 resurfacing of photoaged facial skin: preliminary clinical report.J Cosmet Laser Ther2007;9:218-25

[15] Bass LS,Doherty S.Combined ablative and non-ablative fractional treatment for facial skin rejuvenation.Lasers Surg Med2009;15:29