Skin Rejuvenation & Resurfacing Flashcards

Which skin condition is considered a contraindication for ablative laser resurfacing?

Answer: Active acne vulgaris

Active acne is a contraindication because ablative resurfacing can spread bacteria and worsen infection.

What does the Fitzpatrick skin type scale primarily help clinicians determine before laser treatment?

Answer: Risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Higher Fitzpatrick skin types (IV–VI) have greater melanin content and are at increased risk for PIH following laser procedures.

Non-ablative fractional resurfacing differs from ablative fractional resurfacing primarily because it:

Answer: Leaves the stratum corneum intact

Non-ablative fractional lasers create thermal injury in the dermis while preserving the overlying epidermis, resulting in faster recovery.

A patient develops prolonged erythema lasting more than four weeks after CO2 resurfacing. This most likely indicates:

Answer: Delayed healing or early scarring

Erythema persisting beyond 3–4 weeks post-ablative resurfacing is a warning sign of impaired healing or early scar formation.

Which topical agent is most commonly used in pretreatment protocols to reduce post-laser hyperpigmentation risk in darker skin types?

Answer: Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone suppresses melanin synthesis and is used pre- and post-procedure to minimize hyperpigmentation in higher Fitzpatrick types.

The term 'pulse stacking' in laser resurfacing refers to:

Answer: Delivering multiple pulses to the same area before tissue cools

Pulse stacking delivers successive pulses to untreated tissue, accumulating heat and increasing treatment depth beyond a single pass.

Which of the following best describes the 'zone of thermal damage' in fractional laser resurfacing?

Answer: Surrounding tissue heated but not ablated

The zone of thermal damage surrounds the ablated column and stimulates collagen remodeling without removing tissue.