Short-pulse carbon dioxide laser resurfacing in the treatment of rhytides and scars. A clinical and histopathological study.

Background: Previous studies have shown the efficacy of short-pulse carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers in the treatment of rhytides and scars. To date, there have been few studies examining the histological aspects of these treatments.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform a prospective clinical and histopathological study of CO2 laser resurfacing for improvement of facial rhytides and scars.

Methods: A total of 23 patients were studied. Clinical improvement was evaluated both pre- and postoperatively using photographs and optical profilometry. Skin biopsies of rhytides were also obtained.

Results: Postoperatively, rhytides and scars both demonstrated significant increases in clinical improvement scores. Results from optical profilometry studies reflected these results. Skin biopsies from rhytides posttreatment demonstrated increases in collagen layer thickness. Improvement was sustained as late as 1 year following treatment.

Conclusions: Histopathological studies suggest improvement of rhytides and scars by CO2 laser resurfacing may be attributed to new collagen formation following treatment.