LASER SKIN RESURFACING WITH THE Q-SWITCHED ND, YAG LASER

BACKGROUND. Recent studies have shown that char-free pulsed carbon dio xide lasers are useful in the treatment of rhytids. Other infrared las ers have also been observed to induce changes in the skin. OBJECTIVE. In this pilot study, we evaluated the rhytid resurfacing capability of the Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garden (QS Nd:YAG) laser at 1064 nm as compared with char-free carbon dioxide lasers at 10,600 nm . METHODS. Three lasers were used in the study: The QS Nd:YAG laser, t he SilkTouch carbon dioxide laser, and the UltraPulse carbon dioxide l aser. Eleven subjects were treated in either the periorbital or perior al region with the QS Nd:YAG laser on one side of the face, and both o f the char-free pulsed carbon dioxide lasers on the other side. The su bjects were evaluated at posttreatment days 7, 30, 60, and 90 for impr ovement of rhytids, healing, pigmentary changes, and erythema. RESULTS . All II patients treated with the char-free carbon dioxide lasers imp roved. Nine of 11 patients treated with the QS Nd:YAG laser were impro ved. Healing (complete reepithelialization) was noted to occur 3-6 day s earlier in sites treated with the RS Nd:YAG than in sites treated wi th char-free carbon dioxide lasers. Pigmentary changes were not observ ed in any treatment site. Erythema was observed at 1 month after treat ment in all areas treated with the char-free carbon dioxide lasers, bu t only three patients treated with the QS Nd:YAG exhibited erythema. T hese were the same three QS Nd:YAG-treated patients whose clinical imp rovement was comparable with that of the char-free carbon dioxide lase rs. CONCLUSION. The Q-switched Nn:YAG laser may play a role in the tre atment of rhytids. (C) 1997 by the American Society for Dermatologic S urgery, Inc.