Efficacy of Skin Rejuvenation with a Fractional 1927-nm Thulium Laser Alone or Combined with a Chemical Peel: a Controlled Histopathological Preliminary Study in a Mouse Model

Many patients demand minimally invasive treatments for skin rejuvenation, such as nonablative laser and superficial chemical peels. Combination therapy yet has not been studied histopathologically. The purpose of this study is to assess the histopathological efficacy of a 1927-nm thulium laser-assisted salicylic acid (SA) peel in skin rejuvenation. A six-segment table was drawn on the shaved back of C57BL/6 mouse. All segments were irradiated with the thulium laser-different tips and passes were used for specific segments. A 30% SA peel was then applied to the right-hand segments. After treatment, the skin samples were collected from each segment and examined for dermal thickness, collagen density, and melanin content. Greater thickness was seen in the combination therapy group compared with the laser alone group and in those segments receiving more passes with larger beam-sized tip. Collagen density increased in all treated skin segments, irrespective of the group. No adverse events were noted in the treated areas. The sample size was small and mouse skin has histological differences with human skin. The combination of a thulium laser and 30% SA peel has a synergistic effect on dermal thickness, so that can be suggested as a novel skin rejuvenation technique.