Long-term results of ultrapulsed carbon dioxide laser resurfacing of the Mediterranean face.
BACKGROUND
In Mediterranean countries, increased exposure to sunlight accelerates aging of the skin and the formation of wrinkles. The long-term follow-up results for the patients who underwent resurfacing with ultrapulsed carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser are presented.


METHODS
All 47 patients who underwent ultrapulsed CO(2) laser between 1994 and 1996 were included in the study. The patients were photographed with their permission before the laser treatment, at postoperative month 6, and at year 5, with comparison of the results.


RESULTS
In this study, with its 5-year follow-up period, it was found that the ultrapulsed CO(2) laser achieved long-lasting and acceptable facial resurfacing.


CONCLUSIONS
The ultrapulsed CO(2) laser enables damage to the abnormal dermal region with high-energy transfer in a very short period. The recent development of high-energy pulsed CO(2) laser has generated much renewed enthusiasm for cutaneous resurfacing, especially over the long term.
Sensöz
Omer
O
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Nazmi Baran
Cihat
C
Sahin Alagöz
Murat
M
Cağri Uysal
Ahmet
A
Unlü
Ramazan Erkin
RE
D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005145:Face / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors; D044465:White People
D002245:Carbon Dioxide