One-pass resurfacing with a combined-mode erbium: YAG/CO2 laser system: a study in 102 patients.
BACKGROUND
The CO2 and erbium: YAG (Er: YAG) lasers have been used for skin resurfacing. A recently developed system combines pulsed ablative Er: YAG and continuous wave subablative CO2 wavelengths in one console.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the potential benefits of this system.


METHODS
The study follows 102 women, skin types I-V, with 26 full face, 48 perioral and 28 periocular resurfacing procedures. The ablative Er: YAG pulse (350 micros, 29 J cm(-2)) is followed immediately by a non-ablative CO2 laser shot (4-6 W, 50 ms) through the same collimated handpiece (3-mm diameter spot), 50% overlapping, repetition rate 10 Hz, giving two-pass equivalence with one single pass.


RESULTS
Patients scored the results as very good (n = 67), good (n = 25) and fair (n = 10). Mild but successfully resolved side-effects occurred in only four patients. The 2-month histology showed a good band of new collagen tightening the overlying healthy epidermis. Follow-up periods ranged from 1.5 to 2 years (mean +/- SD 1.76 +/- 0.33).


CONCLUSIONS
This device at the above settings offers speedy resurfacing without compromising the quality of the procedure for the patient, and may well satisfy the basic requirements of laser skin resurfacing.
Trelles
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Instituto Médico Vilafortuny/Antoni de Gimbernat Foundation, Av. Vilafortuny 31, E-43850 Cambrils, Spain. imv@tinet.fut.es
Allones
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Luna
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001128:Argon; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004871:Erbium; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015019:Yttrium
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D015019:Yttrium; D001128:Argon; D004871:Erbium