SilkTouch: A New Technology for Skin Resurfacing in Aesthetic Surgery

Abstract

We describe layer-by-layer char-free facial skin resurfacing at very low CO2 laser power levels with a miniature "SilkTouch" microprocessor-controlled optomechanical flashscanner. This device provides excellent ablation depth control with minimal thermal damage to the dermis. Indications for the laser in aesthetic surgery include perioral, lips, and periorbital wrinkles, among others.

Use of Er:YAG laser for benign skin disorders

“…This compares with the CO 2 laser wavelength, which has a penetration depth of 0.02 mm. The reported short pulse CO 2 thermal damage is 0.075-0.150 mm, its vaporization depth 0.07 mm [1], and the reported normal mode Er:YAG thermal damage is only 0.01-0.05 mm [10].…”

“…The ability to control epidermal vaporization depth with minimal damage to the dermis is a prerequisite for successful scar-free removal of benign epithelial skin changes [1]. Lasers were introduced to dermatology soon after the invention of the laser (1960) and since then have found wide acceptance and use by providing evidence of their extraordinary ability to treat precisely and effectively a number of skin diseases that were previously unmanageable by other medical and surgical methods [2].…”

Treatment of verruca vulgaris and condyloma acuminatum with lasers

“…The new generation of CO 2 lasers, the "resurfacing" lasers, can achieve tissue vaporization with thermal damage zones as small as 20-30 m. These are either high peak power, short-pulsed lasers such as the UltraPulse laser (Coherent, Palo Alto, CA) (11,12) or are rapidly scanned focused beam lasers such as the SilkTouch laser (Sharplan Lasers, Allendale, NJ) (13,14). These lasers were originally developed for treatment of rhytides and acne scars but have also been useful in the treatment of epidermal and superficial dermal lesions, with a higher margin of safety than the traditional continuous wave lasers (15,16).…”

Histopathological Evaluation in Biopsies of Palatine Tonsils Submitted to Cryptolysis by Coagulation with CO2Laser for Treatment of Chronic Caseous Tonsillitis

“…Initially, the laser is applied around the crypt opening (Fig. 7), weakening the affected re-gion, and, then, with lower energy density, the laser is applied over the whole surface in between the crypts, leading, by superficial coagulation, to an effect of tissue contraction similar to that observed in resurfacing treatments, [25][26][27][28] as shown in Figure 8. In relation to the center of the crypts, the resulting forces are directed outwards and are responsible for the widening of its opening ostium, making them shallower due to the elasticity of the tissues, as illustrated in Figure 9.…”

“…[25][26][27][28] The resulting forces applied to crypt's limit are directed outwards. by laser action.…”