Background: Laser resurfacing has now become an accepted and important component of facial rejuvenation. With the introduction of computerized scanning systems, the actual laser resurfacing technique has been greatly simplified; however, the final outcome still depends to a large extent on the efficiency of the postlaser wound care in promoting wound healing and preventing early and late complications. It has been repeatedly confirmed that a moist environment is the single most important external factor affecting the rate of re-epithelialization. Occlusive moisture-retentive dressings, however, are difficult to apply and maintain in position and may as well be complicated by serious infections.
Objective: Moist exposed burn ointment has been shown to maintain adequate moisture for optimal healing by frequent ointment application without the need for a secondary overlying dressing. It would be ideal for postoperative laser care.
Methods: Twenty-eight consecutive patients treated with coherent ultrapulse CO2 laser in Toulouse, France, were included in the trial. Moisture-retentive ointment was applied over the treated areas every 4 to 6 hours. Healing was assessed clinically and with repeated transepidermal water loss measurements. Swab cultures were taken, and pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale. Colorimetric analysis of pictures taken was statistically compared with picture analysis of 20 patients treated earlier with an occlusive dressing.
Results: Uneventful timely healing occurred in all patients with minimal pain and discomfort. Healing with moist exposed therapy resulted in faster recovery of cutaneous erythema, as evidenced by colorometry.
Conclusion: Moist exposed burn ointment application can be safely considered a good and valid alternative to occlusive dressings for postoperative laser care.