Background: Most data on laser resurfacing have come from studies of people with Fitzpatrick\nskin types 1 - 3; however, the worldâ��s population is comprised mostly of Fitzpatrick skin types 4 - 6,\nwhich are more susceptible to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Objective: For the\npurpose of expanding the expertise of plastic surgeons treating patients with darker skin types,\nthis study examined the incidence of PIH in Asians who underwent laser resurfacing, including a\nhistologic arm on fractional ablative resurfacing. Methods & Materials: The clinical study included\nsix subjects of Vietnamese origin who underwent single-depth fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing.\nThe histologic study involved a seventh subject. The MiXto SX�® laser with a new scanning handpiece\nwas used, along with magnifying loupes to assess ablative depth after each of three laser\npasses performed. Photographs were taken at various postoperative intervals. Results: All six\nclinical subjects showed cosmetic improvement in skin texture and tone with no post-inflammatory\nhyperpigmentation. In the histologic study, H&E stained sections revealed uniform diathermy.\nConclusion: It is possible to significantly reduce PIH in darker skinned subjects through use of a\nnew scanning handpiece and a technique using loupes to assess the depth of ablative resurfacing.\nThe histologic study confirms these findings.
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