Treatment of photoaged neck skin with the pulsed Erbium:YAG laser

BACKGROUND. The Erbium (Er):YAG laser represents a view laser approach for the treatment of rhytids and photodamaged skin. Because the Er:YAG laser's 2940-nm wavelength is at the peak of water absorption, this laser produces minimal thermal damage. OBJECTIVE. To document the Er:YAG laser's efficacy in the treatment of neck rhytids. METHODS. Ten patients with neck rhytids were treated with the Er:YAG laser. All individuals were evaluated for clinical improvement, scarring, and pigmentary changes. RESULTS. All patients showed fair to excellent results with no scarring or pigmentary changes at 6 months. CONCLUSION. The Er:YAG laser may be used to improve non-facial photodamaged skin. (C) 1998 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.