Monitoring of the infrared radiation emitted from skin layers during CO2 laser resurfacing: A possible basis for a depth navigation device

CO2 laser resurfacing is very accurate, but it is not free of complications such as scarring. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the pattern of the infrared (IR) radiation emitted from skin layers and to use this pattern to distinguish between these layers during resurfacing. A CO2 -resurfacing laser (Sharplan SilkTouch) was used for the de-epithelialisati on of skin. A silver halide optical fibre delivered the radiation emitted f rom the skin during resurfacing to an IR photonic detector. Time-dependent curves of the signals emitted from the skin layers were statistically evalu ated and showed significant differences between the epidermis and the derma l layers. Similar results were obtained during in-vivo and ex-vivo measurem ents. The difference between the skin layers emission may be used for depth navigation during laser resurfacing.