Dye-Assisted CO2 Laser Photodermabrasion: A Simplified Technique for Skin Resurfacing

ABSTRACT The search for simpler techniques for skin resurfacing has led many groups to investigate the usefulness of lasers as precision tools for photodermabrasion. A new modality for superficial skin rejuvenation using a dye-assisted low-level energy CO2 laser system is now available. Twenty patients have been treated during the last 18 months at the UCLA School of Medicine. Dye-assisted laser photodermabrasions have been performed to smooth out peri-oral or periorbital fine and deep rhytids in the treated patients. All subjects were females between the ages of 50 and 75 years with light to medium skin complexion and blue, green, and/or brown eyes. Patients with darker complexions and a history of hypertrophic/keloid scars or those on immunosuppressive therapy were excluded. All patients were treated only once and were followed in our clinic every 1–2 months for the last year, except for the patients who underwent adjunctive cosmetic procedures. The entire treatment with dye-assisted laser dermabrasion ...