Lasers in Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing has revolutionized the approach to facial skin rejuvenation over the last decade. It has also added an approach to managing both atrophic and hypertrophic scars. There has always been a great interest in facial rejuvenation. In the 1980s and early 1990s continuous wave carbon dioxide lasers were used in an effort to resurface photoaged skin. Although the results of this procedure performed by a few were quite impressive, the risk/benefit ratio of the procedure was very high.

However, with the development of short-pulse high peak power and rapidly scanned focused beam carbon dioxide lasers and normal mode erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) lasers, the ability to remove photodamaged skin layer by layer in a precisely controlled manner while leaving behind a very narrow zone of thermal damage became possible. There has been an explosion of interest in the use of this new technology to resurface photoaged skin, as well as for the treatment of scars.

Laser skin resurfacing is used for a variety of other conditions apart from treating photoaged skin. Acne scars traditionally have been treated with dermabrasion. Moderate improvement can be achieved, but the procedure is quite bloody and the blood microdroplets can hang suspended in the air for several hours, posing a threat to the physician, staff, and other patients. Laser resurfacing can achieve improvement in acne scars with much less risk to the surgical team. In addition, the procedure is very precise.

Crateriform varicella scars can be improved with spot laser resurfacing. The area around and over the scar is vaporized with one pass of the laser.

Postsurgical and traumatic scars can be dramatically improved, especially if resurfaced 6 to 10 weeks after the surgery or injury.

These are available devices in Behsima for hair removal:

Er-YAG(supErb)

Smoothbeam