Background: Atrophic facial acne scars is one of the most common problems in patients with inflammatory acne. Ablative laser resurfacing has unpleasant complications and a long recovery period. Nonablative therapies yield less improvement and satisfaction. The introduction of fractional photothermolysis (FP) is an alternative treatment for atrophic acne scars.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a nonablative 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser in the FP of atrophic facial acne scars in one treatment session.
Methods: Forty-five patients (skin type III-IV, mean age 29) with atrophic facial acne scars were enrolled in the study. Each patient received one treatment of FP. Comparative photographs were taken using specific complexion analysis to identify and quantify depressed scars and texture. Physician evaluations and patient satisfaction were graded on a 4-point scale. Side effects were recorded at each follow-up visit.
Results: The improvement in atrophic scars and texture after a FP treatment were significant. Twenty-seven (60%) of the patients had good to excellent results after 1 month.
Conclusion: The FP of atrophic facial acne scars resulted in significant improvement even in a single treatment, with good satisfaction and unremarkable side effects.