Efficacy and Safety of Ablative Resurfacing With A High-Energy 1,064 Nd-YAG Picosecond-domain Laser for the Treatment of Facial Acne Scars in Asians

Abstract

Objectives: There have been few studies regarding the use of a picosecond-domain laser for acne scars in Asians. This prospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a high-energy 1,064 nm Nd:YAG picosecond-domain laser for ablation and resurfacing of facial acne scars in Asians.

Methods: Subjects were treated with a 1,064 nm picosecond laser (8 mm spot, 0.7-1.0 J/cm² , 5 Hz) every 4 weeks for three sessions. Two blinded dermatologists evaluated the pre- and 3-month post-treatment images with a 10-point improvement scale. Subject pain, global improvement, and satisfaction were also assessed. The Facial Acne Scar Quality of Life (FASQoL) questionnaire was used to evaluate the subjects' quality of life.

Results: Twenty subjects aged 18-50 years with Fitzpatrick skin type III-V were enrolled. The median dermatologist-rated improvement score was 3 out of 10. Subjects were satisfied to very satisfied with global improvement. Subjects' quality of life significantly improved with a median FASQoL score of 10 after treatment compared with 21 before treatment (P < 0.001). Adverse effects were limited to erythema, pain, and edema without postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Conclusions: The 1,064 nm picosecond-domain laser with ablative resurfacing parameters is safe and effective for the treatment of acne scars in Asians. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: acne scars; fractionated; laser; picosecond; treatment.