Comparison of a Long-Pulse Nd:YAG Laser and a Combined 585/1,064-nm Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scars: A Randomized Split-Face Clinical Study

BACKGROUND Nonablative laser is gaining popularity because of the low risk of complications, especially in patients with darker skin. OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of a long-pulse neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and a combined 585/1,064-nm laser for the treatment of acne scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nineteen patients with mild to moderate atrophic acne scars received four long-pulse Nd: YAG laser or combined 585/1,064-nm laser treatment sessions at fortnightly intervals. Treatments were administered randomly in a split-face manner. RESULTS Acne scars showed mild to moderate improvement, with significant Echelle d`evaluation clinique des cicatrices d`acne (ECCA) score reductions, after both treatments. Although intermodality differences were not significant, combined 585/1,064-nm laser was more effective for deep boxcar scars. In patients with combined 585/1,064-nm laser-treated sides that improved more than long-pulse Nd: YAG laser-treated sides, ECCA scores were significantly lower for combined 585/1,064-nm laser treatment. Histologic evaluations revealed significantly greater collagen deposition, although there was no significant difference between the two modalities. Patient satisfaction scores concurred with physicians` evaluations. CONCLUSION Both lasers ameliorated acne scarring with minimal downtime. In light of this finding, optimal outcomes might be achieved when laser treatment types are chosen after considering individual scar type and response.Keller R, 2007, DERMATOL SURG, V33, P1470, DOI 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33318.xDeHoratius DM, 2007, CLIN DERMATOL, V25, P474, DOI 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2007.05.006Chan HHL, 2007, LASER SURG MED, V39, P381, DOI 10.1002/lsm.20512Werner S, 2007, J INVEST DERMATOL, V127, P998, DOI 10.1038/sj.jid.5700786Manolis EN, 2007, WOUND REPAIR REGEN, V15, P252, DOI 10.1111/j.1524-475X.2007.00212.xAlster TS, 2007, DERMATOL SURG, V33, P295, DOI 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33059.xAlster T, 2007, DERMATOL SURG, V33, P131, DOI 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2006.33030.xDreno B, 2007, DERMATOLOGY, V214, P46, DOI 10.1159/000096912BERLIN AL, 2007, J COSMET LASER THER, P1Goodman GJ, 2006, DERMATOL SURG, V32, P1458, DOI 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2006.32354.xSeaton ED, 2006, BRIT J DERMATOL, V155, P748, DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07429.xBhatia AC, 2006, DERMATOL SURG, V32, P346, DOI 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2006.32071.xPrieto VG, 2005, DERMATOL SURG, V31, P522TRELLES MA, 2005, FACIAL PLAST SURG, V21, P145Schmults CD, 2004, ARCH DERMATOL, V140, P1373Chua SH, 2004, DERMATOL SURG, V30, P1287Woo SH, 2004, DERMATOL SURG, V30, P488Capon A, 2003, AM J CLIN DERMATOL, V4, P1GOODMAN G, 2003, J COSMET LASER THER, V5, P77Patel N, 2002, DERMATOL SURG, V28, P942Jacob CI, 2001, J AM ACAD DERMATOL, V45, P109Goldberg DJ, 2001, LASER SURG MED, V28, P141Goodman GJ, 2000, DERMATOL SURG, V26, P857KUENSTNER JT, 1994, J NEAR INFRARED SPEC, V2, P59ALVES OC, 1993, INT J BIOL MACROMOL, V15, P273