CO2 laser skin resurfacing in oculoplastic surgery.

Although CO2 lasers have been used in medicine for almost 30 years, recent developments have changed the way they are being used. Several laser technologies have altered the CO2 laser delivery system, making it useful for the treatment of wrinkles, photoaged skin, and acne scarring. Histopathologically, the resurfacing CO2 lasers produce morphologic alterations similar to medium-depth chemical peels. Many of the same principles applied to chemical peels and dermabrasion are useful in the evaluation and treatment of patients undergoing laser resurfacing. The results of laser therapy appear to be more predictable than those from dermabrasion and chemical peeling and produce fewer sequelae. Laser resurfacing can be used alone or as an adjunct to other cosmetic surgical procedures.