Histologic Comparison of Microscopic Treatment Zones Induced by Fractional Lasers and Radiofrequency

In a 2014 study, histologic effects of fractional lasers and radiofrequency (RF) were compared using 48 tissue samples from three male domestic swine. The study revealed that Er:YAG lasers created superficial and broad MTZs with minimal thermal damage, Er:glass lasers caused separation at the dermoepidermal junction without an ablative zone, CO₂ lasers produced narrow and deep MTZs, and RF resulted in superficial and broad crater-like MTZs. The findings indicated that different lasers and RF have distinct impacts on the depth, diameter, and shape of MTZs, which is crucial for dermatologists to consider for safe and effective treatments. The study also suggested that CO₂ lasers might be the most effective for drug delivery due to their greater ablation depth, although potential negative effects on drug delivery were noted, necessitating further research.