Effect of pulse width of a variable square pulse (VSP) erbium:YAG laser on the treatment outcome of periorbital wrinkles in Asians

Background Uses of appropriate laser parameters are essential for an optimum outcome with minimal risks of complications. Objective To evaluate the effect of pulse width of a variable square pulse (VSP) Er:YAG laser on the treatment outcome. Methods Twenty‐four Thais with periorbital wrinkles received two treatments with a low‐fluence, VSP Er:YAG laser resurfacing 1 month apart. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups and treated with two different parameters including a pulse width of 0.3 ms (short pulse, SP) for one group and a pulse width of 250 ms (super‐long pulse, SL) for the other group. Assessments were evaluated at baseline, 1‐month and 3‐month follow‐up visits. Results After one treatment, 63.7% and 33.4% of the subjects in the SP and SL groups, respectively, were assessed to have obvious to marked improvement of their wrinkles. After two treatments, a higher percentage of the subjects were rated to have obvious to marked improvement including 91% and 66.7% in the SP and SL groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in therapeutic outcome between the SP and SL groups. Conclusions There was no significant difference in efficacy and side effects, between the SP and SL groups. However, a trend toward better response with the shorter pulse width was observed.