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Random fractional ultrapulsed CO2 resurfacing of photodamaged facial skin: long-term evaluation

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Abstract

Although numerous papers have recently been published on ablative fractional resurfacing, there is a lack of information in literature on very long-term results. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy, adverse side effects, and long-term results of a random fractional ultrapulsed CO2 laser on a large population with photodamaged facial skin. Three hundred twelve patients with facial photodamaged skin were enrolled and underwent a single full-face treatment. Six aspects of photodamaged skin were recorded using a 5 point scale at 3, 6, and 24 months after the treatment. The results were compared with a non-parametric statistical test, the Wilcoxon’s exact test. Three hundred one patients completed the study. All analyzed features showed a significant statistical improvement 3 months after the procedure. Three months later all features, except for pigmentations, once again showed a significant statistical improvement. Results after 24 months were similar to those assessed 18 months before. No long-term or other serious complications were observed. From the significant number of patients analyzed, long-term results demonstrate not only how fractional ultrapulsed CO2 resurfacing can achieve good results on photodamaged facial skin but also how these results can be considered stable 2 years after the procedure.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IDE (Istituto Dermatologico Euroepo), Sezione di Laser e Chirurgia, Milan, Italy

    Matteo Tretti Clementoni & Rosalia Lavagno

  2. ICLID (Istituto di Chirurgia e Laserchirurgia in Dermatologia), Via della Moscova 42, 20121, Milan, Italy

    Michela Galimberti & Pier Luca Bencini

  3. U.O. Dermatologia, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

    Athanasia Tourlaki

  4. Skindermolaser, Rome, Italy

    Maximilian Catenacci

Authors
  1. Matteo Tretti Clementoni
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  2. Michela Galimberti
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  3. Athanasia Tourlaki
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  4. Maximilian Catenacci
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  5. Rosalia Lavagno
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  6. Pier Luca Bencini
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Correspondence to Pier Luca Bencini.

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Tretti Clementoni, M., Galimberti, M., Tourlaki, A. et al. Random fractional ultrapulsed CO2 resurfacing of photodamaged facial skin: long-term evaluation. Lasers Med Sci 28, 643–650 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-012-1116-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-012-1116-1

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