Knowledge Base Related To This Page:
 

Home ] Anti-Aging Topical Skin Care ] Anti-Aging Treatment ] Anti-Aging Innovations ] Product Reviews ] Knowledge Base ] Resource ] Site Map ] Contact Us ]

Anti-Aging Treatment: Anti-Aging Supplement ] Anti-Aging Medicine ] Anti-Aging Techniques ]

Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Anti-Aging Techniques: Up ] Anti-Aging Skin Procedures:Overview ] Dermal Fillers ] Skin Needling ] Microcurrent ] Nonablative Light Therapy ] Radio Frequency Treatment ] Ultrasonic Therapy ] Microdermabrasion ] Chemical Peel ] [ Ablative Laser Resurfacing ] Plasma Resurfacing Technique ] Anti-Aging Plastic Surgery ] Longevity Technology ]

Search Our Web Site

  >> anti-aging treatment >> anti-aging techniques >> Ablative Laser Resurfacing  

Ablative Laser Skin Resurfacing (Invasive)

  • CO2 Laser
  • Erbium:YAG lasers.
  • Ablative Fractional CO2 or Er:YAG lasers

There is a considerable variety in the equipment and treatment techniques user for laser resurfacing. The two most common lasers for wrinkle removal are carbon dioxide and Erbium:YAG lasers. Carbon dioxide laser appears to be somewhat more effective for treating deep wrinkles but has longer recovery time and tends to cause greater adverse reactions. Some surgeons use both carbon dioxide and erbium:YAG lasers in the same procedure: erbium laser for fine lines and small wrinkles and carbon dioxide laser for deeper wrinkles. Such an approach may provide the best risk-to-benefit ratio.

Another important technical aspect is the number of passes the surgeon makes when treating skin with a laser. Multiple passes, particularly with carbon dioxide laser, produce greater thermal injury and lead to greater side effects and longer recovery. Some surgeons assume that more passes results in a greater wrinkle reduction. However, research indicates that the benefit from additional passes may be small whereas additional risk is substantial. Some surgeons use a combination protocol where problem areas (around eyes, mouth and on the forehead) are first treated with one pass of carbon dioxide laser and then with one or more passes of less injurious erbium laser. The rest of the face may be treated with one pass of erbium laser.

Recently, there are ablative fractional laser systems launched on the market. The fractional laser is the type of laser resurfacing using a technology which apply hundreds or thousands of microscopic laser columns -treat a fraction of the skin at a time without affecting the surrounding tissue in an attempt to retain the effectiveness of treatment as classic ablative laser resurfacing, but reduced invasiveness and the risk of side effect, downtime coming with the traditional ablative laser resurfacing procedures.

Laser Type effectiveness recovery time  safety
carbon dioxide (10.6 µm) deep wrinkle longer recovery time than Er: YAG laser greater adverse reactions than Er: YAG laser
Erbium:YAG lasers. (2.94 µm) fine line, small wrinkle    
ablative fractional laser (CO2 or Er:YAG) same as the classic  systems reduced downtime compared to classic ablative laser resurfacing reduced risk of side effects

 

Fractional Ablative Laser Resurfacing Systems On the Market

Brand/Product /Manufacturer laser type and specifications anti-aging benefits, effectiveness recovery time, safety Note
Fraxel re:pair® (Solta Medical Inc.) ablative (CO2 laser) surgery-like results for the most severe skin damage. wrinkles, irregular texture, age spots/sunspots, sun-induced redness Most return to routine activities after a week. the newest product in the Fraxel family, tightens skin and corrects severe damage.
StarLux Lux2940 fractional (Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.) Technical Specifications:
Wavelength 2940 nm
Medium Er:YAG
Class IV
Treatment Zones Fractional: 10 x 10 mm, 6 x 6 mm
Flat Beam: 6 x 6 mm
Microbeam Density Up to 1000 cm2
Pulsewidth .25 - 5 ms
Max. Repetition Rate 6 Hz

Three treatment modes are available:

  • Short pulse. Pure ablation; fastest treatment times and quickest recovery.
  • Long pulse. Control the amount of coagulation around columns.
  • Dual pulse. A short pulse / long pulse automatic sequence.
The Lux2940 is a sophisticated, single-treatment fractional laser handpiece which allows you to tailor the level of skin tightening through soft tissue coagulation, Re-epithelialize within one day. Minimal downtime — about 2-4 days (versus 6+ days with traditional laser skin resurfacing). Platform-based technology — offer ablative treatments with the industry-leading StarLux 500 Laser and Pulsed Light Platform
UltraPulse Fractional C02 (Lumenis, Inc) With 240W of pulse power to tissue, the UltraPulse is 6 times more powerful than any other CO2 laser available. pulse durations are less than 1 millisecond deep wrinkle, improve skin tone. ablate tissue quickly and provides hemostasis, more collagen formation. The UltraPulse is the most versatile CO2 laser system available. It is capable of offering the full range of fractional resurfacing: DeepFX offers a small, deep spot microablative treatment and ActiveFX offers a large, superficial spot treatment. DeepFX and ActiveFX can be combined to form TotalFX, for total outcomes in the treatment of scars, fine lines, texture, dyschromia and deep wrinkles. the UltraPulse has the highest pulse power and energy of any fractional CO2 system marked today. This lends itself to minimal time on tissue, which results in lower collateral thermal damage reducing patient pain and complications.  

The Ablative CO2 Skin Resurfacing Laser Systems

product and vendor specification price
EXELO2 CO2 Laser
Quantel Derma USA, Inc.
10600nm  
DOT Therapy™ Laser Skin Rejuvenation
Eclipsemed, Ltd.
   
Ultra MD™40 Super Pulse CO2 Surgical Laser
Laser Engineering, a division of SSI, Inc.

 

Wavelength: 10.6 microns

Power to tissues: 1-40 watts

Super pulse: 1 to 20 Watts

Exposure Time: .05,.1,.2,.3.5,1.0 sec

 
 
Ultra MD™ 60 Super Pulse CO2 Surgical Laser
Laser Engineering, a division of SSI, Inc.

 

Wavelength: 10.6 microns

Power to tissues: 1-60 watts

Super pulse: 1 to 20 Watts

Exposure Time: .05,.1,.2,.3.5,1.0 sec

 
 
Ultra MD™ 80 Super Pulse CO2 Surgical Laser
Laser Engineering, a division of SSI, Inc.  

Wavelength: 10.6 microns

Power to tissues: 1-80 watts

Super pulse: 1 to 20 Watts

Exposure Time: .05,.1,.2,.3.5,1.0 sec

 
 
Compact 30C CO2 Lasers

Lumenis, Inc.

 

Wavelength: 10.6 um, infrared

Power to tissues: 300 W / 350 W

Super pulse: 0.5 to 10W / 0.5 to 15W

Exposure Time: On time (CW & Pulser), 0.01 to1.0 second. On time (SuperPulse), 0.05 to 1.0 second

 
 
Compact 40C CO2 Lasers

Lumenis, Inc.

 

Wavelength: 10.6 um, infrared

Power to tissues: 300 W / 350 W

Super pulse: 0.5 to 10W / 0.5 to 15W

Exposure Time: On time (CW & Pulser), 0.01 to1.0 second. On time (SuperPulse), 0.05 to 1.0 second

 
 
NovaPulse® 20-watt CO2 Laser

Lumenis, Inc.

 

Wavelength: 10.6 µm, infrared

Power to tissues: 2 to 20 W / 2 to 20 W / 2 to 12 W

Super pulse: 2 to 10W (LX-20SP only)

Exposure Time: On time (CW & SuperPulse), 5 to 500 msec

 
UltraPulse® SurgiTouch™ CO2 Laser System

Lumenis, Inc.

 

Wavelength: 10.6 µm, infrared

Power to tissues: 1 to 60 W

Super pulse: Inquire

Exposure Time: On time, 0.001 to 1.0 second

 
30 Watt Sealed CO2 Laser System
Parallax Technology Inc.
   
40 Watt Sealed CO2 Laser System
Parallax Technology Inc.
   
Sealed CO2 Laser System
Parallax Technology Inc.
   

The Ablative Er:YAG Laser Resurfacing Systems On The Market

product and vendor specification price
Venus-i™ Laser System

IRIDEX

Wavelength: 2940 nm

Laser: Erbium:YAG

Application: Dermatology, cosmetic and plastic surgery, general surgery, ENT and ophthalmology

Pulse Duration: 300 ms

 
BURANE XL 2940nm Er:YAG Laser (formerly WaveLight Aesthetics)

Quantel Derma USA, Inc.

Wavelength: 2940nm

Laser: Er:YAG

Application: Laser peeling
Skin resurfacing
Wrinkles
Smoothing of scars
Removal of skin ...

Pulse Duration: Inquire

 
Harmony®XL

Alma Lasers

 

Wavelength: Inquire

Laser: Er:YAG and Nd:YAG

Application: Skin Resurfacing, Body Contouring, Pigmented & vascular Lesions, Skin Tightening, Acne Reduction, ...

Pulse Duration: Inquire

 

Ablative Laser Resurfacing – Postoperative Care

Laser skin resurfacing (LSR) for the rejuvenation of facial skin remains a popular cosmetic procedure. Meticulous postoperative care is essential and is as important as intraoperative technique in achieving optimal results after laser ablation. Epidermal regeneration following the thermal injury of LSR is improved in a moist environment, since a dry crust or scab impedes keratinocyte migration.1 Both open and closed wound care methods can be applied to minimize morbidity and expedite postoperative wound healing. Numerous studies indicate that closed wound care regimens utilizing occlusive dressings for 48-72 hours postoperatively may hasten reepithelialization and reduce crusting, discomfort, erythema, and swelling.2-4 Appropriate medications and management techniques can also minimize the predictable effects of LSR.

Resurfacing with carbon dioxide (CO2) or Erbium:YAG lasers results in ablation of the epidermis and upper papillary dermis. During reepithelialization, the wound produces copious serous discharge along with sloughing of denatured collagen. Resultant crusting may predispose the wound to secondary infection. Other immediate expected sequelae of LSR include discomfort, pruritus, erythema, and edema. Reepithelialization after resurfacing occurs at a mean of 8.5 days after CO2 and a mean of 5.5 days after Erbium:YAG lasers.5

     Related Pages:

 

Home ] Anti-Aging Topical Skin Care ] Anti-Aging Treatment ] Anti-Aging Innovations ] Product Reviews ] Knowledge Base ] Resource ] Site Map ] Contact Us ]
Copyright © 2009  www.antiagingskincarebeauty.com. All rights reserved.
Revised: 05/30/10