Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser and Plasmakinetic Skin Resurfacing

LASERS AND LIGHTS—A PRACTICAL UPDATE AND FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser and Plasmakinetic Skin Resurfacing

Dec
2008
Vol. 27. No. 4
Nathan S Uebelhoer, DO | Richard E. Fitzpatrick, MD, FAAD | William F. Groff, DO, FAAD

Photodamage is one of the most common reasons that patients visit a dermatologist’s
office. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing has always been the gold standard for
reversing photodamage. Because of the relatively high incidence of side effects and the
prolonged downtime associated with CO2 resurfacing, new technologies have emerged to
address photodamage. Portrait skin regeneration (PSR) is a novel device that has been
developed to treat photodamage, and this device yields fewer side effects and downtime
than traditional CO2 laser resurfacing. At our center, we have performed more than 500
high-energy PSR treatments and have developed a unique and highly effective treatment
protocol. In addition, fractional CO2 laser resurfacing has emerged as the latest technology
developed to combat photoaging. This technology yields impressive results and is much
safer and causes less downtime than traditional CO2 laser resurfacing. In this article, we
will review our treatment techniques and protocols as well as address patient selection,
preoperative and postoperative care, and anesthesia.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 27:239-251 © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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