title: Fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of acne scars: a report of 27 Korean patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atrophic post-acne scarring remains a therapeutically challenging condition despite various currently available technologies. Fractional photothermolysis (FP) is a novel concept of cutaneous resurfacing which induces non-contiguous microscopic thermal injury. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of FP in the treatment of acne scars in Asian patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 27 Korean patients (Fitzpatrick skin types IV or V) with moderate to severe facial acne scars received three to five sessions of FP treatment (Fraxel Laser; Reliant Technologies, CA, USA), each spaced 3-4 weeks apart. Standardized digital photographs were obtained before each treatment and 3 months after the final treatment. In addition, the patients' perceived degrees of improvement were assessed 3 months after the final treatment using a five-point grading scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FP led to marked improvement in the appearance of acne scars at 3 months post-treatment. Patients' self-assessed degrees of improvement were as follows: excellent improvement in eight patients (30%), significant improvement in 16 patients (59%), and moderate improvement in three patients (11%). Adverse events were limited to transient pain, erythema and edema.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 1550-nm erbium-doped FP is associated with significant patient-reported improvement in the appearance of acne scars, with minimal downtime.
authors.affiliation: Gowoonsesang Dermatology Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoun Seung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jong Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gun Young
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Dong Hun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jung Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Dong Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jin Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome