title: Comparison of fractional, nonablative, 1550-nm laser and 595-nm pulsed dye laser for the treatment of facial erythema resulting from acne: a split-face, evaluator-blinded, randomized pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postinflammatory erythema is commonly seen in patients with inflammatory acne. There are no reliable treatment guidelines for acne erythema.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We compared the effect and safety of a nonablative, 1550-nm fractional laser and a 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) for the treatment of acne erythema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve Korean patients with acne erythema were enrolled. Sides of the face were randomized to receive treatment with a fractional laser or a PDL for a total of three treatments at 4-week intervals. The assessment of effectiveness was mean change in mexameter scores, investigator's and patients' clinical assessments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant improvements in baseline acne erythema were observed through an improved erythema index on both treated sides. But, the improvements from each laser treatment were not significantly different. Mean scores of investigator assessments were 3.42 ± 0.67 in fractional laser-treated sites and 3.33 ± 0.65 in PDL-treated sites. Patients assessed their improvement as good or excellent in 91.7% of fractional laser-treated sites and 75% of PDL-treated sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both lasers are effective and safe modalities for the treatment of acne erythema; however, these data suggest better clinical efficacy with the use of a 1550-nm, erbium-glass fractional laser.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine , Seoul , South Korea.
authors.forename: Kui Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Eun Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Seong Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Chang Kwun
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000328:Adult; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005145:Face / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054025:Lasers, Dye / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D056910:Republic of Korea; D016037:Single-Blind Method
keywords: acne erythema; fractional laser; pulsed dye laser