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Kristen M. Kelly, MD; J. Stuart Nelson, MD, PhD; Gary P. Lask, MD; Roy G. Geronemus, MD; Leonard J. Bernstein, MD

Arch Dermatol. 1999;135:691-694.

Background  Cryogen spray cooling can be used to provide epidermal protection while still achieving spatially selective photocoagulation in the upper dermis. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy and safety of cryogen spray cooling in combination with a nonablative Nd:YAG (=1320 nm) laser treatment of facial rhytides in human volunteers.

Observations  Thirty-five adults with bilateral periorbital rhytides were treated with cryogen spray cooling in combination with 3 nonablative laser treatments performed sequentially at intervals of 2 weeks. Small but statistically significant improvements were noted in the mild, moderate, and severe rhytid groups 12 weeks after the final laser treatment. A final assessment performed 24 weeks after the last treatment showed statistically significant improvement only in the severe rhytid group. The procedure was found to be safe; 4 sites (5.6%) developed transient hyperpigmentation. Two sites (2.8%) subsequently developed barely perceptible pinpoint pitted scars.

Conclusions  Cryogen spray cooling is a safe and effective method for protecting the epidermis during nonablative laser treatment of facial rhytides thereby avoiding much of the morbidity associated with other resurfacing procedures. Minor improvements in rhytides can be achieved with the current technology. Optimization of treatment parameters may further improve these results.

From the Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine (Drs Kelly and Nelson), the Department of Dermatology, University of California, Los Angeles (Dr Lask), and Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, New York City (Drs Geronemus and Bernstein).

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