title: Comparison of fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet and carbon dioxide lasers in resurfacing of atrophic acne scars in Asians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The efficacy of fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) and carbon dioxide (CO(2) ) lasers are well substantiated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and safety of these two laser systems for treatment of atrophic scars in dark-skinned patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four subjects with acne scars were randomly treated with a fractional Er:YAG laser on one side and a fractional CO(2)  laser on the other side. All subjects received two treatments with a 2-month interval. Objective and subjective assessments were obtained at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months after the final treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the 6 month follow up, 55% and 65% of Er: YAG and CO(2)  laser sites, respectively, were graded as having more than 50% improvement of scars. Improvement progressed significantly from 1- to 6-month follow-up (p < .001). There was no significant difference in clinical improvement between the two systems at 1- (p = .90), 3- (p = .54), and 6-month (p = .87) follow-up. Reduction in scar volume corresponded to clinical evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fractional Er:YAG and CO(2)  lasers provided comparable outcomes of scar treatment, but fractional CO(2)  laser was associated with greater treatment discomfort.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. woraphong.man@mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: Woraphong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Manuskiatti
authors.forename: Thanawan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iamphonrat
authors.forename: Rungsima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wanitphakdeedecha
authors.forename: Sasima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eimpunth
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D001284:Atrophy; D002547:Cerebral Palsy; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008831:Microcephaly; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult