New facial rejuvenation techniques

The popularity of cutaneous laser resurfacing has soared in recent years. For optimal clinical improvement, patients have been limited to the carbon dioxide and erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet lasers. with these systems, tissue can effectively be ablated to induce collagen shrinkage and remodeling that result in an improved clinical appearance, The prolonged recovery periods associated with traditional cutaneous laser resurfacing have sparked an immense interest in devices that rejuvenate the skin while minimizing adverse effects. Both physicians and patients seem willing to accept more gradual improvement if it is associated with fewer complications such as prolonged erythema or delayed-onset hypopigmentation. The following review discusses the newest devices in development or currently available for skin rejuvenation. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.