The aim of this paper is to analyses the histopathology of the termal effects on the skin of Wistar rats after the application of CO2 and erbium laser. Eight rats had their flanks shaved and two areas were selected for the use of the laser. The first area received two applications of CO2 laser, and the second area two applications of the erbium laser. The skin adjacent to the laser application site was used as a control area. The microscopic analysis of the injury caused by CO2 laser revealed a complete ablation of epidermis and an injury that looked like an "U" in shape. The superficial dermis presented a degeneration of the collagen that corresponded to the residual thermal injury, to normal dermis was sharply demarcated. The injury caused by erbium laser was observed as a plateau injured area with a few small normal areas. The collagen of the superficial dermis was also injured, however to a lesser degree as compared to CO2 laser effect.
CO2 laser; Erbium laser; Skin
