Laser Resurfacing: Usual and Unusual Complications

  1. Marta I. Rendon-Pellerano MD1,
  2. Jerome Lentini MD2,
  3. William E. Eaglstein MD3,
  4. Robert S. Kirsner MD3,
  5. Kendall Hanft MD1,
  6. Rube J. Pardo MD4

Article first published online: 24 DEC 2001

DOI: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.1999.07358.x

Issue

Dermatologic Surgery

Dermatologic Surgery

Volume 25, Issue 5, pages 360–367, May 1999

Additional Information

How to Cite

Rendon-Pellerano, M. I., Lentini, J., Eaglstein, W. E., Kirsner, R. S., Hanft, K. and Pardo, R. J. (1999), Laser Resurfacing: Usual and Unusual Complications. Dermatologic Surgery, 25: 360–367. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.1999.07358.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

  2. 2

    Laser Surgery Practice, Lake Oswego, Oregon

  3. 3

    Department of Dermatology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

  4. 4

    Coral Gables Dermatology and Laser Center, Coral Gables, Florida

*Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Marta I. Rendon-Pellerano, MD, Cleveland Clinic Florida, 3000 Wet Cypress Creek Road, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 24 DEC 2001
  2. Article first published online: 24 DEC 2001

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The use of the carbon dioxide laser for skin resurfacing was initially described in 1989. 1 Since that time, several reports have shown it to be highly effective in the treatment of photodamaged skin and acne scarring. 2,3,4,5 Advances in laser technology have simplified the procedure and minimized adverse sequelae. Laser skin resurfacing has become a very popular technique, and recently several patient series have been published on the use of different resurfacing lasers to treat photodamaged skin. 3,4 However, very little has been written about its complications. Adequate patient selection, sound medical judgement, proper training with experience and knowledge of skin physiology and wound care are important factors for successful outcomes. Interested physicians across a broad range of subspecialties have expressed concern about the rate of adverse outcomes and management of complications. We report seven representative cases of complications referred to our dermatology clinics from outside physicians, in the hope of educating clinicians regarding the usual and unusual side effects of this procedure.

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