Laser skin resurfacing with the SilkTouch flashscanner for facial rhytides.

[BACKGROUND] Effective treatment of facial rhytides has been reported using carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers with high peak power and short exposure time which creates char-free ablation. Char-free ablation can also be created using a Silktouch flashscanner attached to a conventional CO2 laser.

[OBJECTIVE] The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the SilkTouch flashscanner in skin resurfacing.

[METHODS] The SilkTouch flashscanner attached to one of two continuous wave CO2 lasers was used to treat facial rhytides on 40 patients. Histopathology to evaluate the depth of penetration of the scanner on both CO2 lasers was performed on preauricular skin prior to excision during facelift surgery. Silicone surface replicas were obtained pre- and 2 months post-laser treatment on two patients and evaluated by optical micrometry. Clinical evaluation of all patients pre- and post-laser treatment was performed.

[RESULTS] Clinical evaluation showed significant improvement of facial rhytides. Optical micrometry revealed a decrease in rhytide volume, indicating rhytide improvement.

[CONCLUSION] The Silktouch flashscanner is effective for the treatment of facial rhytides.