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Laser resurfacing of the neck with the combined CO2/Er:YAG laser
1Dermatology/Cosmetic Laser Associates of San Diego County, Inc, San Diego, CA, USA. mgderm@aol.com
Background:
Several clinical studies on laser resurfacing on the neck have yielded variable results with adverse sequelae of hypopigmentation and scarring using the CO2 laser. The Er:YAG laser on the neck resulted in an improved appearance with no adverse sequelae. The combined CO2/Er:YAG laser is a laser that combines a low fluence CO2 laser with the Er:YAG laser in a near simultaneous beam.
Objective:
To study the effects of the CO2/Er:YAG laser on the neck. The decreased nonspecific thermal damage of the CO2/Er:YAG laser should result in decreased postoperative erythema and improved wound healing.
Methods:
Eleven patients were treated with the CO2/Er:YAG laser on the neck as well as the face at identical settings. The face was treated with four passes while the neck was treated with two passes. The patients were evaluated for the first 2 weeks then 3-6 months postoperatively. Patients were asked about treatment satisfaction and improvement in skin texture and color using a 25% scale. Skin texture and color, as well as improvement in wrinkling and adverse results were judged by a dermatologist using a 0-4 scale.
Results:
Moderate improvement was seen in skin color while a higher degree of improvement was seen in skin texture and wrinkling in all 11 patients. No adverse sequelae, including hypopigmentation or scarring, were observed. The majority of patients had a 75-100% improvement in skin texture and color in addition to a 75-100% overall satisfaction rating.
Conclusions:
There is a higher degree of overall patient satisfaction, as well as improvement in skin texture and skin color, compared to patients treated with the Er:YAG laser alone. The CO2/Er:YAG laser is a highly effective laser for neck resurfacing with no adverse sequelae to date.