Spectrum of Results After Treatment of Rhinophyma With the Carbon Dioxide Laser

Between 1986 and 1989, 30 patients with rhinophyma were treated with the carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser at our institution. The duration of disease ranged from 1 to 20 years, and the duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 4 years. All the patients were men, and all had fair skin (predominantly type I skin); their mean age was 63 years. Patients with minor and moderate rhinophyma were treated with CO₂ laser vaporization only, whereas patients with major rhinophyma were treated sequentially with CO₂ laser excision and then vaporization. A spectrum of long-term results is presented. Although dilated pores developed in many patients, no re-treatment with the CO₂ laser was necessary. In one patient each, leukoderma, unilateral alar lift, and mild hypertrophic scarring developed. In general, use of the CO₂, laser is effective for precise decortication of rhinophyma in an office-outpatient setting.