[Ablative and fractional lasers].
The use of pulsed or scanning Carbon Dioxide, and pulsed Erbium-YAG lasers allows the programmable and reproducible photocoagulation of thin layers of the epidermis and superficial dermis. Thermal damage depends on the type of laser and is greater with CO(2) lasers. The degree of neocollagenesis is proportional to the thermal damage and is better with CO(2) lasers. Their main indication is the correction of photoaged facial skin but they can also be used for corrective dermatology, e.g. for scars and genodermatosis. Results are highly satisfactory but the technique is invasive and the patient experiences a social hindrance of around two weeks. The fractional techniques such as Fraxel are used to treat non-adjacent microzones without ablation of the epidermis. Around 25 p. 100 of the affected region is treated per session without ablation of the epidermis. Each fraction is only mini-invasive and is performed under local anesthesia. Social hindrance is minimal. Nonetheless, the results are inferior to those obtained with ablative lasers, especially regarding deep wrinkles. The treatment is costly and four sessions are usually required to treat the whole affected area. Others regions of the face may also be treated. Encouraging results have been obtained with mélasma.
Beylot
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Professeur Emérite de l'Université Bordeaux 2 Victor-Segalen, CHU de Bordeaux, Hôpital du Haut-Lévêque, Pessac, France. claire.beylot@wanadoo.fr
D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000145:classification*; D015595:Skin Aging; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000628:therapy*