Introduction: Recently non-ablative skin resurfacing is available in facial skin rejuvenation. The objective of our study is to compare the effectiveness and complications of smooth pulsed light and long-pulsed dye laser in the treatment of facial skin rejuvenation. Methods: 10 Asian patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III-IV were enrolled in this study. Half side of the face was treated by smooth pulsed light and the other side was treated by long-pulsed dye laser. A smooth pulsed light (model MediLux , Palomar Corporation, U.S.A) with type B handpiece was used. Lentigines and wrinkle were treated with fluence between 27 to 40J/cm2 and pulse duration of 20 millisecond. Cool roller system is used for skin cooling. A long-pulsed dye laser (model V-beam, Candela Corporation, U.S.A) with a wavelength of 595nm, spot size of 7mm was used. Lentigines were treated by long-pulsed dye laser by compression method with fluence between 9 to 12J/cm2 and pulse duration of 1.5 milliseconds (no skin cooling). Wrinkle was treated with fluence between 10 to 12J/cm2 and pulse duration of 10 to 20 milliseconds (with skin cooling). Using a digital camera, the anterior and lateral views of all patients are taken before treatment and during each follow up. 2 independent clinicians assessed the photographs for degree of clinical improvement and scored after mutual agreement. Side effects such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring were also assessed. Results: The mean scores of improvement of lentigines are 6.2 in smooth pulsed light sites and 8.1 in long-pulsed dye laser sites. The mean scores of improvement of wrinkle are 4.9 in smooth pulsed light sites and 6.7 in long-pulsed dye laser sites. There was no scarring or hypo, hyperpigmentation. Conclusions: Both smooth pulsed light and long-pulsed dye laser are effective for facial skin rejuvenation in Asians, but long-pulsed dye laser treatment is significantly better than smooth pulsed light treatment (p<0.01).
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