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Background: Recent technological advances have dramatically increased the use of lasers in skin resurfacing. The first high-power short-pulse laser, Ultrapulse, has found extensive use in dermatology and plastic surgery for skin resurfacing. Reports for penetration depth are at best anecdotal. To our knowledge this is the first report of histological effects of the Ultrapulse in human skin., Objective: To determine the effect of single and repeated (two or three) Ultrapulse laser impacts on volar forearm skin., Method: The volar surface of the arm in four patients received in adjacent areas either one, two, or three pulses, after anesthesia. The treated areas were immediately biopsied, hematoxylin & eosin prepared, and examined., Results: Increasing the number of passes correlates with increased depth of penetration and thermal ablation. No significant propagation of destructive thermal energy to adjacent tissue was noted., Conclusion: One impact at the tested parameters ablated most of the epidermis. Two impacts superimposed ablated the entire epidermis and the superficial papillary dermis. Three superimposed impacts penetrated to the reticular dermis.

Background: The carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is a surgical tool recognized for its capacity of combined simultaneous tissue transection and hemostasis without unwanted distant transmission of energy., Objective: To determine the potential of laser-assisted rhytidectomy., Methods: A preliminary group of 18 patients were treated for facial rejuvenation by a technique of laser-assisted rhytidectomy with excellent results., Results: No major complications including hematoma were seen., Conclusion: Based on these initial findings, we conclude that laser-assisted rhytidectomy shows great promise for better results with diminished risks.

Background: Laser skin resurfacing is growing in popularity in both the professional as well as lay populations. Freehand delivery of impacts is relatively time consuming. Accurate and precise placement of impacts to avoid unwanted overlapping and the superimposing of multiple impacts is difficult., Objective: To evaluate a new computerized scanning device, the computerized pattern generator (CPG), and to compare it with freehand delivery of multiple laser impacts over large areas., Methods: Sixty-one patients were treated using the CPG by surgeons who are experienced with freehand laser resurfacing., Results: CPG delivery provides more rapid resurfacing with more uniform, accurate, and precise distribution of impacts., Conclusion: Combining the CPG with the Ultrapulse laser is a valuable addition making the procedure faster and more controllable.