title: Carbon dioxide and ER:YAG laser resurfacing. Results.
abstract: Laser resurfacing is exciting "futuristic" surgery. The CO2 laser resurfaces using different parameters from the Er:YAG laser. When the surgeon understands these parameters, each laser can be used as a powerful tool for specific clinical applications. The Er:YAG laser was initially thought to be for the patient who has minimal skin laxity, but who desires skin resurfacing and needs a speedy return to social life. The CO2 laser has typically been thought to work best for skin laxity as well as rhytids, at the price of a longer recovery period. As the hardware and techniques continue to evolve, the differences between the clinical scope addressed by each laser diminishes. Both lasers deserve a place in the plastic surgeon's armamentarium. This new combination CO2/Er:YAG technique is intriguing and deserves further in-depth investigation. Laser resurfacing is not a cureall, but, when applied appropriately, it is an excellent tool that the plastic surgeon can use for skin rejuvenation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Bass
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: VanderKam
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Achauer
mesh_terms: D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers / Q000145:classification*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications