title: Comparison of Two Kinds of Lasers in the Treatment of Acne Scars.
abstract: Acne scars are common and stigmatizing for the affected patients. Besides surgery, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and microneedling, the treatment with fractional laser is a standard therapy. The results of reducing acne scars treated either with a fractional Er:YAG (erbium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet [Er:Y3Al5O1]) or a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) laser at different wavelengths were compared and evaluated in the pilot study presented here. Fourteen patients with severe scars on both cheeks were treated four times in a random split-face approach: on one side with Er:YAG laser and on the contralateral side with CO2 laser following a standardized protocol. Therapeutic success was evaluated through the use of a high-resolution, 3D small-field capture system (PRIMOS), digital photography, and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) questionnaire. The evaluation was performed by a blinded investigator. Treatment results displayed a higher efficacy of the fractional CO2 laser compared with the Er:YAG laser as displayed by digital photographs. Additionally, objective (high-resolution, 3D small-field capture; PRIMOS) and subjective (POSAS) measuring results correlated positively in certain qualities (color, stiffness, thickness, surface, overall opinion). Using a novel scientific approach, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of different fractional lasers on acne scars using a rater-blinded approach. Compared with an Er:YAG laser, better skin smoothening was achieved by fractional CO2 laser treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reinholz
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schwaiger
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Heppt
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Poetschke
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tietze
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ruprecht-Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Epple
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ruzicka
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaudewitz
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerd G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Gauglitz
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004890:Erythema / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult