title: Analysis of the temporal change in biophysical parameters after fractional laser treatments using reflectance confocal microscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fractional photothermolysis is a popular treatment option for photorejuvenation. Previous literature studies have demonstrated the clinical effectiveness of fractional photothermolysis on cutaneous photoaging; however, the associated changes in biophysical properties of the skin following fractional photothermolysis have not been fully elucidated. This study was conducted to investigate the temporal changes in biophysical parameters after fractional laser treatment on Asian skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven female subjects underwent a single treatment with an erbium glass fractional laser. Skin roughness, elasticity, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), dermal thickness were evaluated before and immediately after treatment and 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after treatment. The changes in the dermal papilla were analyzed using a reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Skin roughness showed the greatest improvement at the first week and net elasticity was most improved at the second week. TEWL and the percentage of melanized and active dermal papillae (DP) were mostly increased for 3 days. At 4 weeks after treatment, the number of total dermal papillae showed a significant increase compared with pretreatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study of the characterization and quantification of dermal papilla reflecting the dermal repair process after fractional photothermolysis through an RCM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Min-Joong
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ji-Hwoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Mi-Ae
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Jae-Sook
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Sang-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mu-Hyoung
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D020405:Dermis / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004548:Elasticity / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D012060:Rejuvenation; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D055815:Young Adult