Consideration of the UltraPulse carbon dioxide laser as a tool for skin deepithelialization

Laserbrasion is essentially skin deepithelialization. The continuous-wave c arbon dioxide (CO2) laser has a long history during which this capability t o ablate the epidermis has been used in multiple clinical applications. The "improved" UltraPulse CO2 laser has been advocated as a safer method, prim arily for skin resurfacing. The authors show in Sprague-Dawley rats by gros s and histological examination that the UltraPulse CO2 laser can also be us ed effectively to achieve skin deepithelialization, with efficacy in clinic al simulations without untoward effects on wound healing. The advantage of the UltraPulse CO2 laser appears to be less destruction to surrounding tiss ues.