Clinical and echographic analysis of ablative fractionated carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of photodamaged facial skin.

BACKGROUND

Ablative fractional photothermolysis (AFP) has been reported to be effective in the treatment of photoaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Treatment was administered using an AFP device and assessed photographically 3 months after treatment by a blinded physician. Ultrasound measurements evaluated skin thickness and subepidermal low echogenic band thickness (SLEB), the portion of the papillary dermis filled with solar elastosis.

RESULTS

Three months after treatment, the mean score improved 61.0% (95% confidence interval (CI)=56.8-65.2%) for dyschromia, 54.3% (95% CI=51.6-57.0%) for skin laxity, 51.5% (95% CI=49.6-53.4%) for rhytides, and 60.2%9 (95% CI=56.8-63.6%) for overall cosmetic outcome. Patients had a significant decrease in SLEB in all anatomic sites treated (0.078 cm at baseline, 0.038 cm at 3 months, 40.0% decrease) (p<.001). Total skin thickness increased with AFP (0.163 cm at baseline, 0.188 cm at 3 months, 10.3% increase) (p<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this pilot study, AFP improved pigmentary and textural components of photoaged skin. Future investigation is warranted to validate the results demonstrating that high resolution ultrasound can be used as a quantitative tool to assess skin changes after AFP.