BACKGROUND: Fractional laser resurfacing is a new procedure for skin rejuvenation. We have found that it has a skin tightening effect in humans. OBJECTIVE: To assess the mechanism of the skin tightening effect of fractional laser treatment in animals using histologic approaches. METHODS: The dorsal skin of hairless guinea pigs was irradiated with a fractional 1,540-nm erbium glass laser. Biopsy specimens were taken serially from 0 hour until 1 year after irradiation and evaluated histologically. RESULTS: Histologic evaluation indicated dermal remodeling within 2 months, in which regenerated collagen bundles and fibroblasts aligned in a horizontal direction, suggesting a traction stress on the dermal components. The treated part became less obvious over a period of more than 3 months by recovery of fine collagen bundles without fibrosis. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that improvement of the tension in a horizontal direction is essential for skin remodeling and improvement of facial laxity using fractional laser resurfacing.
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Dainichi et al. (2009) studied this question.
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