THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM SIDE-EFFECTS OF CARBON-DIOXIDE LASER RESURFACING

BACKGROUND. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing has become a very p opular method of rhytide and scar removal in the recent past. Prelimin ary studies have been pirblished describing the method, histology, and clinical results of CO2 laser resurfacing. However, none of these stu dies has dealt with long-term follow-up results. OBJECTIVE. To review all side effects resulting from CO2 laser resurfacing with regard to b oth short- and long-term effects. METHOD. Retrospective analysis of 10 4 patients who have undergone CO2 laser resurfacing for either facial rhytides and/or scarring with follow-up periods of 4-23 months (averag e, 8.2 months). RESULTS. The incidence of side effects are generally v ery low for CO2 laser resurfacing, including scarring, postinflammator y hyperpigmentation, and infection. However, there is a significant an d previously unreported risk of hypopigmentation in an area of the pop ulation who often seek improvement in the appearance. CONCLUSIONS. CO2 laser resurfacing of facial rhytides and acne scars can be a very saf e procedure by an experienced laser operator. However, careful patient selection, thorough patient instruction, and proper aesthetic analysi s of treatment sites must be followed to insure the most favorable out comes with CO2 laser resurfacing. (C) 1997 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.