ULTRAPULSE LASER SKIN RESURFACING IN HISPANIC PATIENTS - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF 36 INDIVIDUALS

BACKGROUND. The main question in the mind of a physician about to trea t a Hispanic patient for facial cosmetic improvement using laser resur facing is: How safely can I predict an even pigmentation after the pro cedure? Specific studies in Hispanic patients to establish the safety of laser skin resurfacing with the UltraPulse carbon dioxide laser do not exist. OBJECTIVE. To establish the degree of safety for this proce dure in this patient population. METHODS. Thirty-six volunteer patient s were treated for facial rhytides and acne scars. A Coherent UltraPul se 5000c carbon dioxide laser was used. The guidelines for the minimal mechanical trauma technique were followed. Monthly follow-up for 6 mo nths was done, except in three patients. RESULTS. Cosmetic improvement was achieved in the vast majority of patients. No cases of persisting erythema, hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation were seen at 90 days or at the completion of the study. CONCLUSION. This appears to be a s afe procedure for this patient group following the criteria of minimiz ing mechanical trans-operative trauma and close follow-up as described in this paper. (C) 1998 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surg ery, Inc.