Full face and neck laser skin resurfacing.

Abstract

Since the inception of laser skin resurfacing for the removal of facial rhytides, laser surgeons have avoided laser resurfacing of the neck. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the accuracy and precision of the Ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser allows the laser surgeon to safely laser skin resurface the neck as well as the full face. This series includes 40 patients who have undergone laser skin resurfacing of the neck at the time of full-face laser skin resurfacing. Three subgroups are defined. Thick-skinned patients, thin-skinned patients, and patients who otherwise would have medical contraindications to face and neck lift are included in this study group. Patients between the ages of 40 and 60 who do not have a lot of excessive neck skin or prominent platysma bands are candidates for full face and neck laser skin resurfacing. Successful tightening for thick-skinned patients occurs by using 300 mJ at 60 W. a density of 6, and one pass. For thinner-skinned patients, the upper half of the neck is treated with 300 mJ, 60 W, a density of 6, and one pass. The lower half of the neck in these patients is treated with 125 mJ and 20 W, a density of 6, and one pass. In some patients who otherwise have medical contraindications for face and neck lift, the laser may be an indicated procedure because there is minimal bruising, lack of bleeding, minimal edema, minimal to absent use of adrenaline, and nonincisional surgery with a speedy recovery. The Ultrapulse laser delivers high energy with high speed, precision, and control. Therefore, the laser surgeon can successfully laser skin resurface the neck at the time of full face laser skin resurfacing. Immediate tightening of the face and neck, from the photothermal effect, and the neocollagenesis effectively tighten the neck in the properly selected patient.