Complications of cutaneous laser surgery. A survey

Fractional Photothermolysis for Treatment of Poikiloderma of Civatte

“…16 However, studies have shown that the therapeutic outcomes are variable. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The blue-green argon laser was the first laser system used for treating poikiloderma of Civatte. Although it offered improvement, this treatment had significant side effects, most notably scarring.…”

“…1,2 Several treatment modalities, based on the theory of selective photothermolysis, 3 including argon lasers, potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) lasers, pulsed dye lasers, and intense pulsed light devices, have been used to treat this condition in the past. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Clinical experience has shown that complete clearing is difficult to achieve. Moreover, depending on the modality used, adverse effects such as scarring with irregular hypopigmentation, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, posttreatment purpura, mottled appearance, crusting and erythema have been reported.…”

“…Moreover, depending on the modality used, adverse effects such as scarring with irregular hypopigmentation, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, posttreatment purpura, mottled appearance, crusting and erythema have been reported. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Multiple sessions with these treatments are usually necessary to obtain optimal clearing. 2,6,10 We report the successful treatment of poikiloderma of Civatte on the neck using fractional photothermolysis.…”

Lasers in the Treatment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

“…38 On the other hand, CW lasers have the potential to cause nonspecific thermal damage, leading to atrophic or hypertrophic scarring. 38,39 This led to the development of the high-energy pulsed CO 2 (PCO 2 ) laser, which delivers high fluences with a short pulse duration, allowing for superficial vaporization of tissue and resulting in substantially less nonspecific thermal injury to surrounding tissue. High-energy PCO 2 lasers have been used extensively to resurface wrinkled and photodamaged skin and have a low risk of scarring.…”

Treatment of pulsed dye laser–resistant port wine stain birthmarks

“…Early lasers such as the continuous wave carbon-dioxide and argon lasers were relatively nonselective and resulted in significant scarring. 9 The introduction of the concept of selective photothermolysis with the 577-nm (and later the longer wavelength 585-nm) pulsed dye laser (PDL) revolutionized PWS treatment. 10 This monochromatic yellow light is selectively absorbed by oxyhemoglobin in the dermal ectatic capillaries (with relatively low melanin absorption at the dermoepidermal junction).…”