Clinical efficacy of CO2 fractional laser on suborbital wrinkles

Objective To investigate the efficacy and side effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) fractional laser for the treatment of suborbital wrinkles. Methods Twenty-one female patients with suborbital wrinkles received a single treatment of CO2 fractional laser at fluences of 20- 30 mJ with density of 10%- 15%. Patients were photographed standardly and evaluated at baseline, one and six months after the treatment. Wrinkle improvements were graded in 5 levels: 1 (no improvement or worse), 2 (1%- 25% improvement), 3 (26%- 50% improvement), 4 (51%- 75% improvement), and 5 (76%- 100% improvement). Patients rated the pain intensity by a visual analog scale (VAS, 0- 10). The side effects, such as hyperpigmentation, were observed and recorded. Results After one month follow-up, 3- level improvement was observed in 7 patients (33.3%), 2- level in 9 patients (42.9%); and after six months, 3- level improvement was observed in 9 patients (42.9%), 2- level in 8 patients (38.1%), but there was no statistically significant difference between one month and six months (P>0.05). The overall patient satisfactory rate was 81.0%. The average pain of VAS was 4.24±1.73, 7 patients (33.3%) had hyperpigmentation which faded within three months, and no patients had scars. Conclusions Single CO2 fractional laser treatment can improve the suborbital wrinkles in a certain extent with few side effects. Key words: Suborbital wrinkles; CO2 fractional laser; Facial rejuvenation