FRACTIONAL ERBIUM RESURFACING: HISTOLOGIC AND EARLY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Figure 1-1

Histology showing ablation channel with minimal thermal damage

Since August 2006, 60 patients underwent facial resurfacing with a prototype fractional handpiece for the Sciton Profile Erbium:YAG system. Spot size was 250 microns with energies from 2.5j/cm2 to 125j/cm2 with density of 1-30% of skin surface treated. Histology was obtained from one patient with various settings from in-vivo treatment of pre-auricular skin with punch biopsy performed prior to a facelift. Open wound care was instituted and all patients received perioperative antibiotics and antivirals.

Erbium:YAG laser resurfacing has led to excellent clinical results with predictable recovery periods. We sought to describe our early experience with fractional erbium resurfacing.

Figure 2-1Figure 2-2

Before and after 1 fractional treatment

All patients tolerated their treatment. There were no infections or pigmentary issues noted. Erythema was noted to be extremely mild. Healing was noted to be much faster than traditional erbium resurfacing. Fractional erbium resurfacing is a useful addition to ablative resurfacing.
Figure 3-1

Before and after 1 deep resurfacing and 2 fractional treatments

Figure 4-1

Before and after 3 fractional treatments

Figure 5-1Figure 5-2

Before and after 1 deep resurfacing and 2 fractional treatments
Jason N. Pozner, Steven Glanz, David J. Goldberg, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida and The Aesthetic Science Institute, Boca Raton, Florida, and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY, NY