This Blog, Information And A Carbon Dioxide-Based Fractional Laser

February 18, 2008

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There was a recent news release, that propagated round the internet, about a new carbon dioxide-based fractional laser. This laser is able to go deeper into the skin with less damage than current lasers. The information says that this laser is better able to treat wrinkles, tighten skin and reduce pigmentation. Sounds wonderful.

First came a news release came from the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern (in Dallas), which is one of the places approved by the FDA to use the laser*. This news release was picked up by a few web news services. These news services were then scrapped (text copied verbatim and republished) many many times. I wanted to find out a bit more information about this laser. Using a number of different search terms, all I got was the same copy with the same picture, page after page.

I never did find out which other places were approved by the FDA to use this laser (UT Southwestern only blew their own trumpet), or the few other technical details I was interested in. So where are the other lasers? For all I know there is a carbon dioxide-based fractional laser down the road from my house.

This is copying of copying, of copying, of web copy with no additional information. At least it can be assumed that since the info came from the (very effective) PR Dept of UT Southwestern that is probably accurate. This is often not the case.

On this blog I hope to provide accurate information and will, wherever possible, provide links to the original sources. This way the information can be checked. I like to make comments, but these are presented in a way that make it obvious that they are my opinion and are not presented as fact.

* Original UT Southwestern PR release about the carbon dioxide-based fractional laser

photo credit: timparkinson