Pulsed carbon dioxide and erbium-YAG laser resurfacing: a comparative clinical and histologic study

BACKGROUND: The recent introduction of pulsed erbium-YAG (Er:YAG) laser technology has been accompanied by relatively few clinical studies with widely varying claims regarding post-operative healing, clinical side effects and efficacy. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate comparatively pulsed CO 2 and Er:YAG lasers with regard to clinical side effects, post-operative healing and efficacy when equivalent depths of histologic damage were produced. METHODS: Bilateral periocular or perioral sites were treated using a pulsed CO 2 laser on one side and a pulsed Er:YAG laser on the opposite side. Attempts were made to produce equivalent depths of coagulation (CO 2 ) and ablation (erbium). RESULTS: Results showed almost equivalent post-operative healing. However, the pulsed CO 2 laser proved more effective in the treatment of moderate and deep rhytids. CONCLUSION: When equivalent depths of coagulation and ablation are compared, the healing time is similar. CO 2 proved to be more efficacious in the treatment of peri...