title: Adverse events of non-ablative fractional laser photothermolysis: a retrospective study of 856 treatments in 362 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-ablative fractional laser photothermolysis (NAFP) has been used effectively in the treatment of photodamaged skin and scars, with short post-operative recovery times; but, studies evaluating its adverse events and complication rates in Asian population have been limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency and range of adverse events associated with NAFP treatment in Korean patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of 754 1550-nm erbium-doped and 102 1927-nm thulium fiber fractional laser treatments in patients with skin phototypes III-IV treated at a single center. Adverse events were identified and tabulated, as were patient demographics and laser parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 856 treatments, there were 43 adverse events (5.0%), the most frequent being prolonged erythema (1.8%), post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (1.1%) and aggravation of melasma (0.9%). Less frequently observed adverse events included herpes simplex outbreak (0.6%) and acneiform eruption (0.2%). There were no reports of long-term adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-ablative fractional laser skin treatment has a relatively low complication rate. The adverse events found were temporary and did not result in long-term or severe sequelae such as hypertrophic scarring, atrophic scarring or permanent pigmentary alteration.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Pureen Skin Clinic , Seoul , Korea.
authors: Sang Min
authors: SM
authors: Lee
authors: Myoung Shin
authors: MS
authors: Kim
authors: Youn Jin
authors: YJ
authors: Kim
authors: Chong Hyun
authors: CH
authors: Won
authors: Mi Woo
authors: MW
authors: Lee
authors: Jee Ho
authors: JH
authors: Choi
authors: Kee Chan
authors: KC
authors: Moon
authors: Sung Eun
authors: SE
authors: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000528:radiation effects; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*