Our results suggest that CO2 laser resurfacing produces immediate tissue contraction and residual thermal damage that is saturable for multiple passes and high fluences. For small fluences, however, there is an almost linear increase in thermal damage and shrinkage with an increasing number of passes.

Background and Objectiues: Resurfacing with the CO, laser is rapidly gaining acceptance for skin rejuvenation. Advances in C02 laser and scanning technology allow for precise tissue removal with minimal thermal damage. High energy CO, laser pulses have been widely used effectively to smooth the surface of facial skin; however, pulse duration effects on ablation and thermal damage have not been systematically studied over the millisecond region (0.25-10 ms). Study DesigntMateriaZs and Methods: This study characterizes the ablation threshold, heat of ablation, and residual thermal damage in skin resulting from CO, laser pulses with a Gaussian beam profile. Mass loss from fresh pig skin was measured with an analytical balance, and residual thermal damage was determined through histology. Results: Pulse durations >1 ms were associated with higher ablation thresholds and localized increased thermal damage. ConcZrcsions: Our results show that although pulse duration is an important determinant in ablation and thermal damage, irradiance is more critical as an independent parameter in predicting the effects of CO, laser pulses. o 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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