Actinic cheilitis: treatment with the carbon dioxide laser.

Actinic cheilitis is a premalignant condition that may be symptomatic; it occurs predominantly on the lower lip and is caused by chronic exposure to sunlight. Many treatment modalities, including vermilionectomy, have been used to destroy or remove the damaged epithelium. A new procedure for the treatment of actinic cheilitis is the use of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. This simple and quick method can be performed on an outpatient basis with use of local anesthesia. It is associated with remarkably low morbidity, especially in comparison with vermilionectomy, because vaporization is limited to diseased tissue, the mucosal epithelium, and very superficial dermis. The cosmetic results of CO2 laser treatment of actinic cheilitis are excellent.