Histological and immunohistochemical changes in facial skin treated with combined ablative and non-ablative laser therapy

Abstract

Background: Facial skin rejuvenation is a highly sought after procedure. Different materials, energy-based devices and techniques have been shown to offer good results in facial rejuvenation.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the macroscopic and histological and immunohistochemical changes in facial skin treated with a combined laser therapy.

Patients/methods: Fourteen patients aged from 38 to 59 years were included in the study. Two different wavelengths (2940 and 1064 nm) were used in this four-step procedure.

Results: Significant improvement according to classification for age-related changes in all areas of the face was achieved. There were also significant structural changes in the epidermis and dermis, confirmed with histology and immunohistochemistry.

Conclusion: The dual-wavelength protocol has been found to provide excellent results for facial rejuvenation.

Keywords: 4D; Er:YAG; Nd:YAG; facial rejuvenation; histology.

FIGURE 1

Patient number 2—before the procedure (A), 1 month after second procedure (B)

FIGURE 2

Patient number 2—before the procedure (A), 1 month after second procedure (B)

FIGURE 3

Female patient D. Light microscopy before (A) and after (B) laser treatment with more eosinophilic ground substance with increased connective tissue density (hematoxylin/eosin, 100× magnification)

FIGURE 4

Female Patient L. Light microscopy before (A) and after (B) combined laser treatment with an increase in the number of fibroblasts and evidence of glomeruloid angiogenesis (hematoxylin/eosin, 100× magnification)

FIGURE 5

Female Patient A. Light microscopy before (A) and after (B) combined laser treatment showing an increased cellularity of the epithelial layer (hematoxylin/eosin, 100× magnification)

FIGURE 6

Female Patient D. Light microscopy before (A) and after (B) combined laser treatment showing increased epithelial thickness (hematoxylin/eosin, 100× magnification)

FIGURE 7

Female patient D. Light microscopy before (A) and after (B) combined laser treatment showing application of the point grid method (hematoxylin/eosin, 200× magnification)

FIGURE 8

Male patient C. Light microscopy before (A) and after (B) laser treatment with an increase in the number and intensity of collagen fibers (Van Gieson's stain, 200× magnification)

FIGURE 9

Male patient C. Immunohistochemical analysis of collagen expression before (A) and after (B) the course of combined laser exposure. A1, B1—without computer processing; A2, B2—after computer image processing (200× magnification)

FIGURE 10

Female patient D. Immunohistochemical analysis of CD34 expression before (A) and after (B) combined laser treatment (200× magnification)

FIGURE 11

Male patient C. Immunohistochemical analysis of CD34 expression before (A) and after (B) the course of combined laser treatment. A1, B1—without computer processing; A2, B2—after computer image processing (200× magnification)