Subdermal Carbon Dioxide Laser Cutaneous Contraction

Abstract

Background

Conventional carbon dioxide (CO₂) skin laser resurfacing reverses the effects of photoaging. A recent clinical series reported the efficacy of performing subdermal CO₂resurfacing to obtain the same skin contracture as epidermal skin resurfacing.

Objective

To assess surface area contraction that occurs with subdermal CO₂ laser resurfacing in the rat model.

Design

A nonrandomized control study was performed using 32 rats. The 3 test groups were divided by CO₂ laser strength (5 vs 7 W) and the pattern of resurfacing (cross-hatched vs parallel lines).

Materials and Methods

The rats underwent subdermal continuous 2-mm defocused CO₂beam treatment of the right-sided experimental flap. The left subdermal flap acted as a control. In the first group (n = 12), a subdermal cross-hatching of the subdermal flap was performed with 7 W. The second group (n = 10) was resurfaced in a parallel fashion with 7 W. The third group (n = 10) was resurfaced in a parallel fashion with 5 W. Measurements of skin area were taken immediately after laser resurfacing and 3 weeks after the treatment.

Results

None of the treatment arms showed a change in skin surface area immediately or 3 weeks after treatment. In the first treatment group, all of the treated flaps showed an entire full-thickness slough. Of the controls, 75% showed minimal sloughing. The second and third experimental groups showed a 100% slough of the flaps. Of the 20 control flaps in the second and third groups, only 1 had a partial slough.

Conclusions

In this animal model, subdermal CO₂ laser resurfacing showed a 100% rate of skin sloughing. No change in skin surface area was evident immediately or 3 weeks after treatment.