Transepidermal elimination of elastic fibers after carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. A report of two cases.
BACKGROUND
Laser resurfacing for rhytides and dermatoheliosis is becoming more popular. As more procedures are performed, new side effects and complications are reported.


METHODS
We report two cases of transepidermal elimination of elastic fibers after laser resurfacing with the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for rhytides. Both patients presented with yellow to violaceous papules (one with papules near the lateral eyelid margins, and one with papules over the forehead and cheeks) at 18-22 days after laser resurfacing. Biopsy specimens were taken from both patients and revealed transepidermal elastic fiber elimination.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this has not been reported in the literature previously. We report these cases to make the clinician aware of this potential side effect after laser resurfacing and review the literature on side effects and complications of laser skin resurfacing as well as associations with transepidermal elimination of elastic fibers.
Richert
S M
SM
Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA 15213, USA.
Bridenstine
J
J
D000368:Aged; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D015595:Skin Aging; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000009:adverse effects*