New facial rejuvenation techniques

The popularity of cutaneous laser resurfacing has soared in recent years. F or optimal clinical improvement, patients have been limited to the carbon d ioxide and erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet lasers. with these systems, tissu e can effectively be ablated to induce collagen shrinkage and remodeling th at result in an improved clinical appearance, The prolonged recovery period s associated with traditional cutaneous laser resurfacing have sparked an i mmense interest in devices that rejuvenate the skin while minimizing advers e effects. Both physicians and patients seem willing to accept more gradual improvement if it is associated with fewer complications such as prolonged erythema or delayed-onset hypopigmentation. The following review discusses the newest devices in development or currently available for skin rejuvena tion. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.