BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Many lasers have claimed the clinical efficacy on skin rejuvenation. In this study, the mechanisms of laser induced collagen remodeling were explored systematically on a Kunming (KM) mouse model in vivo by comparing the different non-ablative laser effects using four different laser results modalities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dorsal skin of KM mice was exposed by depilation before the laser resultss. Four laser results modalities were used: the 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) (10 ms), 1,320-nm neodymium-yttrium-aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (0.35 ms), 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser with Q-switched (5 ns), and long-pulsed (0.3 ms) mode. Each modality exposed one side of the mouse dorsal skin leaving the other side as the contralateral control. Then skin histology, fibroblast number, and the genesis of collagen type I and III were studied by comparing the results site and control site at 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after laser results. Hydroxyproline content of the skin tissue was measured 4 weeks and 8 weeks after laser exposure.
RESULTS: All laser resultss led to marked improvements in dermal layer thickness and collagen fiber density, and the increase in fibroblast number and hydroxyproline content compared with their own controls. Collagen synthesis and remodeling induced by the Q-switched 1,064-nm laser was most effective 4 weeks after results, while there was no significant difference among the other three modalities. Among the new collagen genesis after the different laser resultss, collagen type III increased sharply after the Q-switched 1,064-nm laser results whereas more collagen type I was elicited by the other laser results modalities.
CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of photo-mechanical effects in promoting more effectively the synthesis of collagen type III, whereas the photo-thermal effect favored more the formation of collagen type I.