Plume Effect of Fractional Radiofrequency Verus Laser Resurfacing: Considerations in the COVID‐19 Pandemic

The COVID‐19 pandemic requires us all to re‐evaluate aesthetic practices to ensure optimal patient safety during elective procedures. Specifically, energybased devices and lasers require special consideration, as they may emit plume which has been shown to contain tissue debris and aerosolized biological materials. Prior studies have shown transmission of viruses and bacteria via plume (i.e., HIV and papillomavirus). The purpose of this study was to evaluate plume characteristics of the Er:YAG resurfacing laser (Sciton; Palo Alto, CA) and compare it to the Morpheus8 fractional radiofrequency device (InMode; Lake Forest, CA).