Combined carbon dioxide laser excision and vaporization in the treatment of rhinophyma.

The carbon dioxide laser can be successfully used in its two different modes of operation to treat rhinophyma in a relatively bloodless fashion. With the focused mode, layers of excess soft tissue are precisely shaved away until the approximate size and shape of the nose has been achieved. Then with the defocused mode, extremely thin layers of soft tissue can be vaporized to provide the final contouring. Minimal blood loss in most cases, rapid healing, and little postoperative pain are significant advantages of this technique.