Ultraviolet laser ablation of skin: Healing studies and a thermal model

We have followed the course of healing of incisions made with the krypton‐fluoride excimer laser. Incisions were made in guinea pig skin, in vivo, under identical conditions of irradiation. The progressive healing of these incisions was followed over the course of 3 weeks. We noted excellent healing with re‐epithelialization, and the re‐formation of collagen fibers with minimal fibrosis. We present a simple thermal model for ablation of tissue by a short pulse of strongly absorbed laser radiation. Copyright © 1987 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company