Background: A nonablative 350-microsec, 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-microsec, 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-microsec, 585-nm, flashlamp pulsed dye laser can lead to both clinical and electron microscopic evidence of improvement in photo-damaged skin.