Facial resurfacing of atrophic acne scars using high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide laser

Abstract AR

Background & Objection: Treatment of atrophic facial acne scars has been limited to the use of traditional methods such as dermabrasion and chemical peels for many years.

Recently, high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide (C02) laser has been introduced for cutaneous resurfacing.

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness and safety of high energy pulsed C02 laser in the treatment of facial atrophic acne scars and the occurrence of side effects.

Methods: In this study, twenty-two patients with skin phototypes I, II, and III and moderate to severe atrophic facial acne scars were included.

Each patient received one high-energy pulsed CO2 laser treatment session using identical laser parameters by the same laser surgeon.

Base line and postoperative clinical assessments and photographs were obtained in all patients.

Results: There was 90.5% average clinical improvement observed in acne scars following laser treatment.

Side effects were limited to transient hyperpigmentation (4.5% of patients) lasting an average of 3 months.

Prolonged erythema (2 months average) was usual and was considered a normal healing response.

There was no hypopigmentation, hypertrophic scarring or skin infection following laser treatment.

Conclusion: High-energy pulsed CO2 laser proved to be a safe and effective method in the treatment of atrophic facial acne scars.