Efficacy and safety of a carbon-dioxide ablative fractional resurfacing device for treatment of atrophic acne scars in Asians.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of atrophic scars with a fractional laser resurfacing technique has demonstrated favorable outcomes, although data on the efficacy and adverse effects of this procedure in persons with dark-skinned phototypes are limited.


OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of carbon-dioxide ablative fractional resurfacing on atrophic acne scars in Asian individuals.


METHODS
Thirteen subjects (8 female and 5 male, aged 25-52 years) with skin phototype IV and atrophic acne scars were treated with 3 sessions of carbon-dioxide ablative fractional resurfacing laser on an average of 7-week interval. Objective (ultraviolet A-light video camera) and subjective (clinical evaluation by two blinded dermatologists) assessments were obtained at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the final treatment.


RESULTS
At the 6-month follow-up, 85% of the subjects were rated as having at least 25% to 50% improvement of scars. Improvement significantly progressed from the 1-month follow-up to the 6-month follow-up (P = .002). At 1 month after 3 treatments, surface smoothness (P = .03) and scar volume (P < .001) significantly improved, compared with baseline measurements. Of the subjects, 62% rated themselves as having at least 50% improvement in their scars. Mild postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was the most common adverse effect observed in 92% of the subjects or 51% of treatment sessions, and was completely resolved in an average of 5 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
The small sample size was a study limitation.


CONCLUSIONS
Carbon-dioxide ablative fractional resurfacing appears to be effective and well tolerated for the treatment of atrophic acne scars in Asians.
Manuskiatti
Woraphong
W
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. siwmn@mahidol.ac.th
Triwongwaranat
Daranporn
D
Varothai
Supenya
S
Eimpunth
Sasima
S
Wanitphakdeedecha
Rungsima
R
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D054020:Lasers, Gas; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult