Ultrastructural changes elicited by a non-ablative wrinkle reduction laser

Background and Objectives: Cosmeceuticals, chemical peels and collagen injections are used to rejuvenate skin, but none of these methods is effective or permanent. Recently, laser resurfacing has been found to be effective, but the incidence of side effects is relatively high. Two years ago, the non-ablative wrinkle reduction laser (N-Lite, ICN Photonics, UK) was developed, and there have been several reports about its clinical effectiveness. In this study, we have investigated ultrastructural changes elicited by exposure to the N-Lite laser. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Eight adult volunteers were recruited for this study. They were treated with the N-Lite laser and 3-mm skin punch biopsies were obtained 3 hours, 1 day, 3 days, I week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 5 weeks after the laser exposure. These specimens were examined by electron microscopy. Results: Three hours after the laser therapy, the capillaries showed endothelial cell edema with hemostasis and marked edema was observed around them. Neutrophils, monocytes and mast cells were observed in the extravascular dermis. These acute dermal inflammatory changes were observed until 1 week after the laser treatment. Two weeks after the laser treatment, the capillaries showed an almost normal structure, and dermal edema was not observed around them. New elastic fibers and collagen fibers had increased around the capillaries. Four weeks after the laser treatment, interstitial fibrosis was observed around the capillaries. Conclusions: N-Lite laser irradiation leads to interstitial fibrosis, especially around the capillaries, 4 weeks after the laser irradiation. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.