Co2 Laser Resurfacing Complications

The pattern of scarring was atypical square patterns on the forehead and mid cheek.

Co2 laser resurfacing complications.

By definition fractionated ablative co2 laser resurfacing perforates the skin barrier allowing for a potential infection postprocedure. The most serious complication of laser resurfacing is scarring. Powerful co2 lasers are commonly used in laser resurfacing. The pathologic organisms that may infect the skin include.

A retrospective analysis and chart review was performed in 500 consecutive patients who underwent cutaneous laser resurfacing of 1589 facial regions with the ultrapulse co2laser by a single operator. Post resurfacing swelling is expected. Complication rates from 500 laser resurfacing patients. Side effects and complications relating to infection postoperative healing pigmentary changes and scarring were tabulated.

Burns or other injuries from the laser s heat scarring changes in the skin s pigmentation including areas of darker or lighter skin reactivating. It peaks at day two or three and then usually subsides by days five or seven. While most redness disappears within 12 weeks of the laser treatment some patients do see residual redness for several months after the laser resurfacing is completed. Two of these patients had taken oral isotretinoin within 2 years of their laser resurfacing.

Complication rate erythema 100 hyperpigmentation 37 acne flare 15 milia 11 contact dermatitis 10 herpes simplex infection 7 4 hypopigmentation 1 hypertrophic scarring 0 ectropion 0. Also does the hypopigmentation extend uniformly to the entire treated area i e in the case of full face treatment the whole face takes on a mask like appearance or does it usually manifest itself in a more spotted. Recovery from co2 laser resurfacing of the entire face is seven to 14 days depending on the depth. After having done some research it seems that one of the largest risks complications of ablative co2 laser resurfacing is permanent hypopigmentation.

Figure 2b shows a lattic pat tern form ipl hair removal with a blistered area of over treatment. Potential risks of the procedure include. Both patients had undergone extremely conservative laser resurfacing because of their history of oral retinoid ingestion.