title: Evaluation of clinical improvement in acne scars and active acne in patients treated with the 1540-nm non-ablative fractional laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acne is a characteristic condition of puberty; however, adults who continue to have acne outbreaks frequently attend dermatology clinics. Two conditions-active acne and residual scarring-often co-occur in these patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the improvement in scarring and active acne after treatment with a 1540-nm erbium: glass fractional laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors treated 20 patients with acne and scarring. Each patient received panfacial treatment in four sessions with a 1-month interval between sessions. Patients, the treating physician and a blinded observer evaluated the results in four areas: improvement in scars, improvement in pores, improvement in acne, and improvement in sebum secretion. Improvements were graded using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. The evaluation was made 12 weeks after treatment finished.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients presented an improvement in both acne and scars. In 80 percent of cases, patients felt that the appearance of the scars had improved, and the improvement was classified as very much improved in 40 percent. In 85 percent of cases, patients felt that active acne had improved, and the improvement was classified as very much improved in 45 percent. Pore size was evaluated as improved by 75 percent of patients. Sebum secretion improved in 80 percent of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 1540-nm non-ablative fractional laser provides effective treatment of acne scars. Patient satisfaction is high and active acne lesions improve significantly. Treatment of this mixed condition (scarring and active acne) with a single device is reliable, with a favorable safety profile and a high degree of patient acceptance.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Médico Láser, Servicio de Dermatología, Madrid (Spain). mjisarria@hotmail.com
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Isarría
authors.forename: Paloma
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cornejo
authors.forename: Estefanía
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Royo de la Torre
authors.forename: Javier Moreno
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moraga
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004871:Erbium; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004871:Erbium