CO2 laser-resurfacing: increased risk of side effects after uv-exposure-an experimental animal study.
OBJECTIVE
Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser resurfacing is primarily performed on photodamaged facial skin where patients are further exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) postoperatively. We examined whether pre- and postoperative UVR influences the development of CO(2) laser-induced side effects.


METHODS
Hairless mice (n = 211) were treated with a Sharplan CO(2) laser with FeatherTouch scanner. Simulated solar irradiation was administered either preoperatively or pre- and postoperatively. Skin end-points (wounds, texture changes, and pigmentary changes) were evaluated blinded by clinical evaluations, skin reflectance spectroscopy, and histological examinations.


RESULTS
Pre- and postoperative UVR exposed mice obtained higher clinical scores of wounds (P < 0.02) and texture changes (P < 0.01) and developed more heavy fibrosis than mice treated with laser but no UVR. UVR exposure after CO(2) laser treatment induced significant hyperpigmentation compared to unexposed control mice (P < 0.003), whereas CO(2) laser treatment itself did not induce pigmentary changes.


CONCLUSIONS
UVR increases in an animal model the occurrence of postoperative side effects from CO(2) laser resurfacing.
Hedelund
Lene
L
Department of Dermatology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Bispebjerg Hospital, DK-2400 Copenhagen, Denmark. LH20@bbh.hosp.dk
Haedersdal
Merete
M
Egekvist
Henrik
H
Heidenheim
Michael
M
Hans
Christian Wulf
CW
Poulsen
Thomas
T
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D051379:Mice; D008812:Mice, Hairless; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects
D002245:Carbon Dioxide