Lasers in the treatment of skin aging

Abstract

Skin aging is a complex biological process influenced by combination of endogenous or intrinsic (genetics, cellular metabolism, hormone and metabolic processes) and exogenous or extrinsic (chronic light exposure, pollution, ionizing radiation, chemicals, toxins) factors. The major clinical features of aging skin include dryness, laxity, wrinkles, irregular pigmentation and occurrence of neoplasms. In the last decades the number of cosmetic surgery procedures has increased several-fold all over the world and every year billions of dollars are spent on beauty products, cosmetic treatments, etc. Laser are used to mask the cutaneous effects of aging by improving the apperance of the skin. Therefore any man or woman who shows the signs of aged skin may be a candidate for the laser procedure. Photorejuvenation refers to the non-ablative, non-invasive treatment of skin conditions and wrinkles arising from photoaging. Laser resurfacing is a technique used during laser surgery wherein molecular bonds are disassociated by laser. It was shown to be effective in counteracting photoaging through entire epidermal ablation, collagen shrinkage, stimulation of neocollagenesis, extensive dermal remodeling, regeneration of cellular organelles and intercellular attachments. [...].