Abstract
Fractional laser skin resurfacing (FLSR) treatment produces a distinctive thermal damage pattern which produce discrete columns referred as micro thermal zones (MTZs) in the upper dermis since the tissue surrounding the each column is spared.
We have tried out carbon dioxide FLSR (UltraPulse Encore DeepFX™ laser; Lumenis, Santa Clara, Calif., USA) with hairless rat skin, and found that it produces tiny central ablative zones in addition to MTZs. There was rapid migration of keratinocytes, which promote a rapid re-epithelialization within 24 hours in the epidermis. It also seemed to promote tissue shrinkage in the upper dermis and the wound healing responses in terms of regeneration of new collagen, proliferation of myofibroblasts and formation of new vessels which results in the skin tightening.
In clinical trials, carbon dioxide (CO2) FLSR provides remarkable results in improving the acne scars and the skin texture with minimal downtime and a safety profile. Complications of erythema, edema and mild degree of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation have resolved within 1-3 days and several months, respectively. The new fractional laser seems to be a very exciting advance in the field of acne scars and non-surgical skin tightening.
