Abstract:
Photodamage is one of the most common reasons that patients visit a dermatologist’s office. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing has always been the gold standard for reversing photodamage. Because of the relatively high incidence of side effects and the prolonged downtime associated with CO2 resurfacing, new technologies have emerged to address photodamage.
Nitrogen plasma can treat photodamage, and this device yields fewer side effects and downtime than traditional CO2 laser resurfacing. At our centre, we have performed more than 500 high-energy PSR treatments and have developed a unique and highly effective treatment protocol.
In addition, fractional CO2 laser resurfacing has emerged as the latest technology developed to combat photoaging. This technology yields impressive results and is much safer and causes less downtime than traditional CO2 laser resurfacing. In this article, we will review our treatment techniques and protocols as well as address patient selection, preoperative and postoperative care, and anaesthesia.