Clinical evaluation of the safety and efficacy of a novel superficial and deep carbon dioxide fractional system in the treatment of patients with skin of color.

Fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatments have become a standard for treating a myriad of skin concerns. One of the biggest challenges facing us in this regard is treating the vast number of patients with skin of color who we encounter regularly in our practices. A novel superficial and deep CO2 ablative fractional device with both components coming from a single handpiece has been developed and is now being evaluated for patients with skin of color. In the 5 patients studied, side effects were not apparent and no postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was identified. This initial report suggests further evaluation is important to enhance our ablative fractional therapies.