Facial rejuvenation via the sequential combined use of multiple laser modalities: Safety and efficacy

• Published in: Lasers in surgery and medicine Vol. 48; no. 6; pp. 577 - 583
• Main Authors: Wu, Douglas C., Fitzpatrick, Richard E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Ablation; Alexandrite; Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide lasers; CO2 laser; combination treatment; Cosmetic Techniques; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures - methods; Erbium; Face; facial rejuvenation; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Laser resurfacing; Laser Therapy - methods; Lasers; Lasers, Dye - therapeutic use; Lasers, Gas - therapeutic use; Lasers, Solid-State - therapeutic use; Patient satisfaction; Patient Satisfaction - statistics & numerical data; Patients; Pigmentation Disorders - surgery; pulsed dye laser; Rejuvenation; Resurfacing; Retrospective Studies; Safety; Semiconductor lasers; Skin; Skin Aging; Surfacing; Telangiectasis - surgery; Treatment Outcome; YAG lasers; CO2 laser; alexandrite; laser resurfacing; facial rejuvenation; combination treatment; pulsed dye laser
• ISSN: 0196-8092; 1096-9101
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.22514

Background and Objectives Multi‐modal combination treatments for facial rejuvenation offer the potential to achieve superior results in a single treatment session. In this study, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining multiple laser modalities in a single treatment session. Methods Fifty patients underwent a multi‐modal facial laser resurfacing procedure consisting of the sequential use of 595 nm pulsed dye laser, 755 nm alexandrite laser, superficial fractionated and fully ablative CO2 laser, superficial fully ablative erbium‐YAG laser, and deep fractionated ablative CO2 laser in a single treatment session. Improvements in dyspigmentation, rhytides, telangiectasia, and skin texture were assessed. Patient satisfaction, healing times, and tolerability of procedure was also evaluated. Results Highly significant improvements in all clinical parameters were demonstrated at both short‐ and long‐term follow‐up evaluations. Patients reported a high satisfaction rate. Conclusion Mega‐combination treatment utilizing a variety of laser devices in a single treatment session is safe and highly effective at achieving facial rejuvenation. This approach represents an efficient use of both patient and physician time and resources. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:577–583, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.