Nonablative dermal remodeling with a 585-nm, 350-μsec, flashlamp pulsed dye laser: Clinical and ultrastructural analysis

BACKGROUND. A nonablative 350-μsec, 585-nm, flashlamp pulsed dye laser is currently being used for the treatment of rhytides. OBJECTIVE. To analyze both clinical rhytid improvement and electron microscopic evidence of ultrastructural changes after treatment with a nonablative 350-μsec, 585-nm, flashlamp pulsed dye laser. RESULTS. At 6 months after two treatments, 40% of the treated subjects noted mild improvement in rhytid appearance. Nontreating physician evaluation revealed some degree of improvement in 50% of the treated subjects. Mild improvement in quality and texture of the skin was also reported by 50% of the subjects. Electron microscopic evaluation showed ultrastructural changes that are consistent with new collagen formation. CONCLUSION. Treatment with a nonablative 350-μsec, 585-nm, flashlamp pulsed dye laser can lead to both clinical and electron microscopic evidence of improvement in photo-damaged skin.