A side-by-side comparison of carbon dioxide resurfacing lasers for the treatment of rhytides

Background: The use of cutaneous resurfacing lasers to treat rhytides is widely accepted. Several carbon dioxide lasers, many using fundamentally different technologies, are available. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the results obtained and side effects after treating rhytides with 3 different carbon dioxide resurfacing lasers. Methods: We performed a randomized, blinded, prospective study wherein 16 subjects had either periorbital or perioral rhytides resurfaced with 1 of 3 carbon dioxide lasers on either side of the face. Results; We were unable to demonstrate any significant differences in improvement in rhytides, patient satisfaction, posttreatment erythema, or other side effects. Conclusion: Our results suggest that operator technique and patient selection are more important factors than laser type with respect to outcome.