New collagen formation after dermal remodeling with an intense pulsed light source

BACKGROUND : Laser resurfacing in the treatment of facial rhytides has traditionally involved ablative methods with their associated complications and limitations. More recently, rhytid improvement and dermal remodeling has been seen with non-ablative approaches. Such laser-induced remodeling may be associated with evidence of new dermal collagen formation. OBJECTIVE : The aim of this study was to evaluate the histologic changes seen after dermal remodeling with a non-laser intense pulsed light source. METHODS : Five patients underwent four sessions of dermal remodeling with an intense pulsed light source. All patients received a pretreatment biopsy and a second biopsy 6 months after the final treatment. Biopsies were evaluated for histologic evidence of new collagen formation 6 months after the final treatment. RESULTS : All patients showed histologic evidence of new upper papillary dermal collagen formation. CONCLUSION : Dermal remodeling with an intense pulsed light source can lead to histologic evidence of new collagen formation with associated clinical improvement.