Full-face carbon dioxide laser resurfacing: a 10-year follow-up descriptive study.

BACKGROUND

The purposes of this study were to retrospectively compare the 1-, 5-, and 10-year cosmetic outcomes of full-face carbon dioxide laser resurfacing using the SilkTouch technology, and analyze its advantages, disadvantages, and long-term results.

METHODS

Photographic results of full-face carbon dioxide laser resurfacing were evaluated after 1, 5, and 10 years. Statistical analysis considered surgeon and patient satisfaction based on a predetermined cosmetic visual analogue scale. Patients and two plastic surgeons unfamiliar with the cases evaluated objective postresurfacing results using Beausang's grading system and a modified wrinkle assessment scale.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-nine patients were treated and 46 patients completed 1-, 5-, and 10-year follow-up. Combined aesthetic procedures to the full-face carbon dioxide resurfacing were transcutaneous upper lid/lower lid transconjunctival blepharoplasty and endoscopic brow lifts in 15 patients. After 1 year, some relapse occurred, but the overall aesthetic result remained very good. At 5 and 10 years, respectively, 32 and 20 percent of the sample maintained good-quality skin texture; 22 and 19 percent achieved correction of skin pigmentation without scars; and 88 and 98 percent needed correction of recurrent rhytides, jowling, and redundant skin. Permanent hypopigmentation was found in four cases (8.7 percent).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' early experience with the carbon dioxide laser was excellent, but after 1 year, they noticed lines of demarcation between treated and nontreated skin or persistent erythema. After 5 and 10 years, advantages were maintenance of good skin texture, ablation of fine wrinkles, and long-term correction of skin pigmentation. Disadvantages included permanent hypopigmentation of the mandible-neck junction, telangiectasia, and possible accentuation of skin redundancy.