Kee-Hsin Chen1,2,3,4,5, Ka-Wai Tam4,6,7, I-Fan Chen8, Shihping Kevin Huang9, Pei-Chuan Tzeng10, Hsian-Jenn Wang11,12, Chiehfeng Cliff Chen4,11,12,13. 1. a Department of Nursing , Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan. 2. b School of Nursing, College of Nursing , Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan. 3. c Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine , Chang Gung University , Taoyuan City , Taiwan. 4. d Cochrane Taiwan , Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan. 5. e Evidence-Based Knowledge Translation Center, Wan Fang Medical Center , Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan. 6. f Department of Surgery , Taipei Medical University - Shuang Ho Hospital , New Taipei City , Taiwan. 7. g Department of Surgery , School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan. 8. h Graduate Institute of Management of Technology , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu , Taiwan. 9. i Institute of Management of Technology , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu , Taiwan. 10. j Department of Medical Education and Research , Wan Fang Medical Center, Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan. 11. k Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery , Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan. 12. l Department of Surgery , School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University , Taiwan. 13. m Department of Public Health , School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University , Taipei , Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Laser resurfacing is used to minimize wrinkles, solar scars and sequelae of acne. OBJECTIVE: Purpose of the systematic review was to compare resurfacing outcomes of CO2 laser and erbium: yttrium aluminium garnet (erb:YAG) laser therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases were searched until 9 April 2015 using the following terms: laser, carbon dioxide/CO2, facial wrinkles, rhytides and erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet/erbium:YAG/Er:YAG. Two-armed controlled split faced studies that compared CO2 laser and erbium:YAG laser in patients with mild-to-moderate facial wrinkles or rhytides were included. RESULTS: The pooled data in this study and findings of other studies support the greater efficacy with the CO2 laser in improving facial wrinkles, but the erb:YAG laser was associated with a better complication profile compared with the CO2 laser. Except one case of hypopigmentation, other complications (i.e., erythema, hyperpigmentation and crusting) and their rates were reported by studies examining both lasers. CONCLUSION: In general, the CO2 laser appeared to be more efficacious then the erb:YAG laser in treating facial wrinkles. Both lasers treatments were well tolerated.
BACKGROUND: Laser resurfacing is used to minimize wrinkles, solar scars and sequelae of acne. OBJECTIVE: Purpose of the systematic review was to compare resurfacing outcomes of CO2 laser and erbium: yttrium aluminium garnet (erb:YAG) laser therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases were searched until 9 April 2015 using the following terms: laser, carbon dioxide/CO2, facial wrinkles, rhytides and erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet/erbium:YAG/Er:YAG. Two-armed controlled split faced studies that compared CO2 laser and erbium:YAG laser in patients with mild-to-moderate facial wrinkles or rhytides were included. RESULTS: The pooled data in this study and findings of other studies support the greater efficacy with the CO2 laser in improving facial wrinkles, but the erb:YAG laser was associated with a better complication profile compared with the CO2 laser. Except one case of hypopigmentation, other complications (i.e., erythema, hyperpigmentation and crusting) and their rates were reported by studies examining both lasers. CONCLUSION: In general, the CO2 laser appeared to be more efficacious then the erb:YAG laser in treating facial wrinkles. Both lasers treatments were well tolerated.