Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing shown to be safe and effective

22/07/2008

New research has confirmed that a new surgical process known as carbon dioxide laser resurfacing can reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the long term.

Writing in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, a team from the University of Michigan explained that the technique works by vaporising water molecules inside and outside of cells.

This causes thermal damage to the surrounding tissue, which the body seeks to correct by producing more collagen. In turn, this fills in wrinkles, reducing the signs of aging.

The authors added: "In addition to structural changes, the healing process frequently leads to pigmentary changes. These changes in skin pigmentation may be desirable, such as when patients wish to remove solar evidence of aging; however, changes in pigmentation after treatment can often be a troubling adverse effect."

In the latest trial, the researchers followed 47 patients who underwent carbon dioxide laser resurfacing on their entire face between 1996 and 2004.

It was found that 45 per cent experienced no complications at all and that most of those who did suffer side effects reported that the adverse events were reversed soon after surgery.

As a result, the researchers said their findings validated previous results that showed the "efficacy of treating facial rhytids [wrinkles] with the carbon dioxide laser".

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