Comparison of a long-pulse Nd:YAG laser and a combined 585/1,064-nm laser for the treatment of acne scars: a randomized split-face clinical study.
BACKGROUND
Nonablative laser is gaining popularity because of the low risk of complications, especially in patients with darker skin.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of a long-pulse neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and a combined 585/1,064-nm laser for the treatment of acne scars.


METHODS
Nineteen patients with mild to moderate atrophic acne scars received four long-pulse Nd:YAG laser or combined 585/1,064-nm laser treatment sessions at fortnightly intervals. Treatments were administered randomly in a split-face manner.


RESULTS
Acne scars showed mild to moderate improvement, with significant Echelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné (ECCA) score reductions, after both treatments. Although intermodality differences were not significant, combined 585/1,064-nm laser was more effective for deep boxcar scars. In patients with combined 585/1,064-nm laser-treated sides that improved more than long-pulse Nd:YAG laser-treated sides, ECCA scores were significantly lower for combined 585/1,064-nm laser treatment. Histologic evaluations revealed significantly greater collagen deposition, although there was no significant difference between the two modalities. Patient satisfaction scores concurred with physicians' evaluations.


CONCLUSIONS
Both lasers ameliorated acne scarring with minimal downtime. In light of this finding, optimal outcomes might be achieved when laser treatment types are chosen after considering individual scar type and response.
Min
Seong U K
SU
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Choi
Yu Sung
YS
Lee
Dong Hun
DH
Yoon
Mi Young
MY
Suh
Dae Hun
DH
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult