Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with fast recovery.

ABTRACT: Long sun exposure, in addition to ozone layer damage, produces structural damase to the normal skin. Injury to the dermal collagen and elastic fiber results in facial wrinkles. Photodamage to the skin is one of the most common sources of concern for patients visiting the plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Over the years, many alternative solutions have been developed. CO2 laser treatment is one of the alternatives bringing unique benefits and satisfactory results for both patient and surgeons. However, the initial problems of emotional discomfort, prolonged postoperative recovery and delayed return to normal activities have made patients reluctant to accept this method. This article discusses single-pass CO2 laser resurfacing with lower energy. Also, it proposes a technique that does not use wet gauze to remove the surface of the skin. This technique is applied in combination with an intensive skin care treatment. Different authors propose a single pass of CO2 laser with excellent results. With the reported method, identical long-lasting benefits are achieved, but the post-operative time is shorter.