title: Laser abrasion for cosmetic and medical treatment of facial actinic damage.
abstract: Previous studies have shown the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to be effective in the treatment of actinic cheilitis. After CO2 laser abrasion, normal skin and marked cosmetic improvement of the lip were noted. In our study, twenty-three patients were treated with CO2 laser abrasions for cosmetic improvement of facial lines and actinic changes. Pre- and postoperative histopathologic examinations were made on two patients. Preoperative examination of specimens from actinically damaged skin showed atypical keratinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis, with overlying dense compact orthokeratosis and parakeratosis. Abundant solar elastosis was seen in the papillary dermis. Postoperative histologic specimens showed a normal-appearing epidermis with fibrosis in the papillary dermis and minimal solar elastosis (about four weeks after laser treatment). At present, various modalities are available for the regeneration of the aged skin, including chemical peels and dermabrasion. Significantly fewer complications were noted with CO2 laser abrasion than with these methods. Thus, CO2 laser abrasion can be useful in the cosmetic and medical treatment of the aged skin. Marked clinical and histologic improvement has been demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Hermosa Skin Medical Clinic, Hermosa Beach, California.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Lask
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Glassberg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Abergel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002613:Cheilitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*