Efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser versus long-pulsed Nd : YAG laser (1064 nm) in skin photorejuvenation

Abstract

Background Skin photorejuvenation is a common cosmetic demand in which restoration of characteristics of youthfulness can be achieved using light pulses from lasers. Aim To study efficacy and safety of nonablative long-pulsed Nd : YAG laser versus ablative fractional CO2 laser in skin photorejuvenation. Patients and methods This prospective comparative study included 40 patients with fine to deep facial wrinkles. Patients were classified into two groups according to the method of treatment. A total of 20 patients were treated with fractional CO2 laser (group 1), and the other 20 patients were treated with Nd : YAG laser (group 2). Treatment with each modality was conducted for three sessions with 1-month interval. Efficacy was assessed by clinical assessment, photographic evaluation, and histopathological evaluation. Results Both treatment modalities resulted in clinical and histopathological improvement in facial wrinkles with nonstatistically significant difference between them. Conclusion Both fractional CO2 and Nd : YAG lasers are effective and safe in facial wrinkle reduction. Fractional CO2 laser showed slightly better results, but patients experienced less discomfort with Nd : YAG laser.