Health

Wrinkle Removal Works Best with Lasers

More advanced methods less effective than laser resurfacing

By Gabriel Gache, Science News Editor

22nd of July 2008, 08:49 GMT

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Other types of lasers less efficient in reducing wrinkles than carbon dioxide ones

Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing is currently by far the best solution when it comes to wrinkle removal techniques, giving overall better results than some of the latest invented procedures. Most of the time the technique is successful in clearing up the skin, and the side-effects are relatively harmless, generally consisting of either a darkening or a lightening of the skin color.

"Use of the laser allows precise treatment, giving the surgeon more control over the resurfacing procedure than is possible with other techniques such as chemical peels and dermabrasion," wrote Dr Daniel Ward and Dr Shan Baker from the University of Michigan in a report published by the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery journal.

Laser resurfacing techniques work by damaging the skin tissue as powerful light vaporizes water molecules inside and around the cells, which in turn respond by producing excess collagen to fill the wrinkles. However, although this method gives relatively good results due to its side-effects researchers have been frantically trying to find alternative techniques.

Aside from the fact that it can either lighten or darken the skin, carbon laser resurfacing can also determine herpes simplex virus outbreaks, cold sores or even blisters. A study carried on 47 patients with ages around 52 who went through laser resurfacing between 1996 and 2004, showed that about 45 percent of them had no complications at all following the procedure, while the others often experienced complications regarding acne or milia.

"The efficacy of treating facial rhytids (wrinkles) with the carbon dioxide laser is well established, and the short- and long-term utility of the carbon dioxide laser in treating solar facial aging has previously been documented," wrote Ward and Baker.

"In terms of results, carbon dioxide laser resurfacing remains the gold standard," said dermatologist Dr. Paul Carnoil, of Summit, New Jersey.

TAGS:

carbon dioxide | laser | wrinkle | water | complications

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