title: Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser and its Combination with Subcision in Improving Atrophic Acne Scars.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acne is a very common skin disease in which scars are seen in 95% of the patients. Although numerous treatments have been recommended, researchers are still searching for a single modality to treat the complication due to its variety in shape and depth. We compared the effects of fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser alone and in combination with subcision in the treatment of atrophic acne scars.
  
  
  METHODS
  This clinical trial study was performed in Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center (Isfahan, Iran) during 2011-2012. Eligible patients with atrophic acne scars were treated with fractional CO2laser alone (five sessions with 3-week interval) on the right side of the face and fractional CO2laser plus subcision (one session using both with four sessions of fractional CO2laser, with 3-week interval) on the left side. The subjects were visited 1, 2, and 6 months after the treatment. Patient satisfaction rate was analyzed using SPSS 20 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average of recovery rate was 54.7% using the combination method and 43.0% using laser alone (P< 0.001). The mean patient satisfaction was significantly higher with the combination method than laser alone (6.6 ± 1.2 vs. 5.2 ± 1.8;P< 0.001). Bruising was only seen with the combination method and lasted for 1 week in 57.0% and for 2 weeks in 43.0%. Erythema was seen in both methods. Postinflammatory pigmentation and hyperpigmentation were associated with combination method. No persistent side effects were seen after 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a combination of subcision and laser had suitable results regarding scar recovery and satisfaction rate.
authors.affiliation: Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nilforoushzadeh
authors.affiliation: Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Gita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faghihi
authors.affiliation: Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jaffary
authors.affiliation: Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Elaheh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haftbaradaran
authors.affiliation: Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Sayed Mohsen
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hoseini
authors.affiliation: Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Nafiseh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mazaheri
keywords: Atrophic acne scar; fractional carbon dioxide laser; subcision