Pulsed dye laser therapy for sun damaged skin

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the pulsed dye laser (585 nm, 450 ms) in the treatment of sun induced wrinkles. Design Patients had one pulsed dye laser (585 nm) treatment. The treated areas were assessed by the following methods: grading of skin wrinkles at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6–14 months after treatment by blinded observers and by light and electron microscopy. Setting An ambulatory care center at Abbott Northwestern Hospital (ANH) and the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Northern California (LSSCNC). Patients Twenty patients were treated, half with mild to moderate and half with moderate to severe sun induced skin wrinkles. Results At last follow up 90% (9/10) of the mild to moderate wrinkles and 40% (4/10) of the treated patients with moderate to severe wrinkles had clinically observable improvement in their sun induced skin wrinkles. Histologic examinations of the treated areas showed a superficial dermal band of well organized elastin and collagen fibers replacing pre-treatment elastic tissue. Increased cellularity and mucin deposition was consistent with dermal collagen remodeling. Lasers Surg. Med. 25:229–236, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.