Pulsed carbon dioxide and long pulse 10-ms erbium-YAG laser resurfacing: a comparative clinical and histologic study

Abstract

Background: The recent introduction of pulsed erbium-YAG laser technology has been accompanied by relatively few clinical studies with widely varying claims regarding postoperative healing, clinical side-effects and efficacy. We evaluated a new long (10 ms) pulsed erbium-YAG laser in order to determine safety and clinical efficacy in comparison with a pulsed carbon dioxide laser.

Objective: Our objective was to comparatively evaluate a pulsed CO2 and long-pulsed erbium-YAG laser with regard to clinical side-effects, postoperative healing and efficacy in the reduction of rhytids.

Methods: Bilateral periocular or perioral sites were treated using a pulsed CO2 (UltraPulse) laser on one side and long-pulsed erbium-YAG laser (CO3) on the opposite side. Histologic specimens were also studied in order to compare tissue effects of both lasers.

Results: Results showed equivalent postoperative healing and lack of complications. In addition, the long-pulsed erbium-YAG laser showed significant efficacy in the treatment of mild and moderate rhytids.

Conclusion: The long-pulsed (10 ms) erbium-YAG laser appears to be of significant benefit in the treatment of facial rhytids. Tissue studies show a greater degree of thermal damage in the dermis when compared to traditional 350 microseconds erbium-YAG lasers which may underlie the beneficial effects of this laser in the treatment of aging skin.