Lasers in skin resurfacing

The development of short-pulse high-peak power and rapidly scanned focused beam carbon dioxide lasers and normal mode erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet l asers, which can remove photodamaged skin layer by layer in a precisely con trolled manner while leaving behind a very narrow zone of thermal damage, h as revolutionized skin rejuvenation and enhanced our ability to treat scars , This review highlights laser-tissue interactions; the laser used for resu rfacing; preoperative, operative, and postoperative issues and how to choos e a candidate for the procedure; uses of resurfacing; adverse effects and c omplications of the procedure; and new developments in the field. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.