Quantification of skin elasticity changes associated with pulsed carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing.
BACKGROUND
While skin resurfacing using pulsed carbon dioxide lasers appears to have a skin-tightening effect clinically, the debate continues over its actual effects on dermal collagen.


OBJECTIVE
To provide quantitative measures of skin elasticity changes associated with pulsed carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing and to introduce to the facial plastic surgery community the Cutometer SEM 575 skin elasticity meter, an instrument that is useful in the measurement of skin elasticity.


METHODS
University-based facial plastic surgery clinic and wound healing laboratory.


METHODS
Intervention.


METHODS
Measurements taken prior to and 6 months after procedure.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients undergoing pulsed carbon dioxide full-face laser skin resurfacing participated. There were 12 test sites measured in 6 aesthetic units per participant. The Cutometer SEM 575 skin elasticity meter was used to measure skin elasticity changes accompanying this procedure. This device measures skin deformation with an accuracy of 10 microns.


RESULTS
The change in elastic recovery (Ur/Ue) was determined. At all 6 of the facial sites, there was a statistically significant increase in skin elasticity (P < .001). Overall, there was an 18.2% improvement in skin elasticity. Site-specific changes ranged from 9% (forehead) to 22% (prejowl and periorbital).


CONCLUSIONS
Skin resurfacing with the pulsed carbon dioxide laser produces a true skin-tightening effect. The Cutometer is a valuable instrument that permits accurate quantification of skin elasticity and may be useful in the evaluation of other facial plastic procedure results.
Wound Healing and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Stanford University, Calif., USA. RJK@Stanford.edu
R J
RJ
Koch
E T
ET
Cheng
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002245:Carbon Dioxide