A Clinical Safety Assessment of Hybrid Fractional Laser Use at Increased Depths for Facial Skin Rejuvenation…

Cohort studyAesthetic surgery journal. Open forum· 2025

A Clinical Safety Assessment of Hybrid Fractional Laser Use at Increased Depths for Facial Skin Rejuvenation in Patients Undergoing Rhytidectomy.

Skylar J Sirmans, Maheen F Akhter, Michael Hernandez … Alan J Durkin

Cosmetic & AestheticCohort studyClinical practiceQ1IF 2.7

Adding laser resurfacing during facelift surgery did not significantly raise complication rates

A Clinical Safety Assessment of Hybrid Fractional Laser Use at Increased Depths for Facial Skin Rejuvenation in Patients Undergoing Rhytidectomy.

Skylar J Sirmans … Alan J Durkin

Aesthetic surgery journal · 2025 · Q1 in General Medicine

Background

Hybrid fractional lasers (hybrid fractional lasers) have revolutionized facial laser resurfacing treatments with their dual ablative and non-ablative wavelength technology.

Purpose

To assess the clinical safety of delivering hybrid fractional lasers therapy at increased dermal depths up to 425 μm to induce collagen production and improve skin quality in patients undergoing rhytidectomy, and to determine whether this combination increases postoperative complications.

Methods

A retrospective review (2017-2022) was conducted on patients undergoing rhytidectomy with or without concurrent intraoperative hybrid fractional lasers therapy.

n = 169 patients

Results

no meaningful rise in complications when laser resurfacing was added

HFL group

7.6%

Control group

3%

More results

Of 169 patients (94.7% female, 97.0% Caucasian, average age: 63.3 years, Fitzpatrick score: 2.7), 62.1% received hybrid fractional lasers treatment and 37.9% were controls.

Patient characteristics were similar between groups.

The average non-ablative laser depth was 355 μm ± 25, with a maximum of 425 μm.

More results

No known hybrid fractional lasers complications (burns, skin breakdown, hypo- and hyperpigmentation) were observed.

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Hybrid fractional lasers therapy at depths up to 425 μm may be safe for facial photorejuvenation. Patients with Fitzpatrick skin Types I to IV experienced no adverse effects.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Combining hybrid fractional lasers with rhytidectomy did not increase complication rates compared to rhytidectomy alone.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

These findings expand safety parameters for hybrid fractional lasers use, optimizing clinical outcomes and long-term success of laser skin resurfacing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 (Therapeutic).

A Clinical Safety Assessment of Hybrid Fractional Laser Use at Increased Depths for Facial Skin Rejuvenation in Patients Undergoing Rhytidectomy.

A Clinical Safety Assessment of Hybrid Fractional Laser Use at Increased Depths for Facial Skin Rejuvenation in Patients Undergoing Rhytidectomy.

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