A Clinical and Histological Comparison of Flashscanning versus Pulsed Technology in Carbon Dioxide Laser Facial Skin Resurfacing

Abstract

Irradiated laser energy density in relation to time, and the way that it is delivered, should play an important role at the moment of producing collagen shrinkage. The SilkTouch delivers laser energy more aggressively, thereby producing a more intense inflammatory tissue reaction, which results in slower recovery of tissue, compared with the Coherent CPG. More active enhancement of vascularization found in the Sharplan is likely to be the reason for a more effective collagen proliferation and compaction. These changes, together with the increase in elastin in the dermis, may produce longer lasting effects in skin resurfacing.

In Vivo Effect of Carbon Dioxide Laser-Skin Resurfacing and Mechanical Abrasion on the Skin's Microbial Flora in an Animal Model

“…2 The coagulative effect of the CO 2 laser in the dermis also offers control of bleeding, as well as a dry treatment field. 3 Besides the above effects on lasertreated skin, the residual thermal damage might affect the multimicrobial nature of the treated skin flora. A considerable decrease in microbial counts could diminish the possibility of wound infection and contribute to the healing process.…”

Collagen thermal damage and collagen synthesis after cutaneous laser resurfacing

“…Several reports confirm that new collagen synthesis after cutaneous resurfacing accounts for improvements of fine wrinkles on the face [1,2,5,11,12]. Given that the scanned laser works deeper in the dermis and affects a greater depth of new collagen synthesis, one might expect that the scanned laser would be more efficacious than the short-pulsed laser in removing deeper wrinkles.…”

“…While comparisons between the thermal damage depth created by the scanned and short-pulsed lasers has been done in human skin [5,11,12], we believe that our in vivo experiments with piglets have clinical relevance. Porcine skin has been shown to be very similar to human skin in such parameters as hair growth, thickness, and sweat glands [13,14].…”

Er:YAG Laser Resurfacing Using Combined Ablation and Coagulation Modes

“…LASER TECHNOLOGY has revolutionized the resurfacing of photoaged skin, and the two modalities which have emerged as the most popular are the CO 2 and, more recently, the Er:YAG lasers. Both systems have their supporters and detractors, and both have advantages and disadvantages.…”