Treatment of atrophic scars with fractional photothermolysis: short-term follow-up.
BACKGROUND
Various modalities have been used to treat scars, but limited efficacy and problematic side effects have restricted their application.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness and safety of fractional photothermolysis treatment of various atrophic scars in Korean patients.


METHODS
Fifty-nine patients with atrophic scars (caused by acne, trauma, herpes zoster, and burns) were treated with fractional photothermolysis using either Fraxel™ SR 750 or Fraxel™ SR 1500 instruments. Each patient underwent one to three treatment sessions 3-4 weeks apart. The assessment of treatment response was conducted by three dermatologists, who independently evaluated a series of photographs using a quartile grading scale. Skin biopsies were taken before treatment and 4 weeks after the final treatment, and were examined for procollagen-1, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and elastin by immunofluorescence staining.


RESULTS
Four weeks after the final treatment, the mean overall improvement in objective grade was 2.0 when the Fraxel SR 750 was employed and 2.9 when the Fraxel SR 1500 was used. Confocal microscopy revealed an increase in procollagen-1 in dermis, with no difference or a slight increase in the levels of elastin and MMP-1. Side effects were minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
After short-term follow-up, fractional photothermolysis appeared to be a safe and effective option for atrophic scar treatment of Asian skin.
Park
Gyeong-Hun
GH
Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Rhee
Do-Young
DY
Bak
Hana
H
Chang
Sung-Eun
SE
Lee
Mi-Woo
MW
Choi
Jee-Ho
JH
Moon
Kee-Chan
KC
Bang
Jang-Seok
JS
Kim
Beom-Joon
BJ
Kim
Myeung-Nam
MN
Lee
Sun-Young
SY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D024042:Collagen Type I; D004549:Elastin; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1