The use of the erbium:YAG laser for the treatment of class III rhytids

BACKGROUND. The erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser can be used for precise tissue ablation with minimal thermally induced damage. Because of its ability to superficially ablate tissue, the Er:YAG laser can be used to improve fine rhytids with rapid epidermal reepithelialization. It has not been shown that the Er:YAG laser can successfully treat deeper rhytids where some thermal damage may lead to more optimal collagen remodeling. OBJECTIVE. We chose to evaluate the efficacy of multiple superficial Er:TAG laser sessions in the treatment of deeper class III rhytids. METHODS. Twenty subjects were selected for this study. All treated subjects had class III rhytids and were Fitzpatrick I-III skin phenotypes. All subjects were treated with four Er:YAG laser passes at 5 J/cm(2). Three months after the initial treatment, a second treatment with similar parameters was repeated. Six months after the initial treatment, a third laser session with identical parameters was undertaken. Subjects were evaluated for laser efficacy and postlaser complications. RESULTS. Although no subjects showed improvement after the first laser session, mild to excellent improvement was noted 6 months after the third Er:YAG laser treatment. CONCLUSION. The Er:YAG may be used successfully in the treatment of class III rhytids. Multiple sessions may be required.