Efficacy of Punch Elevation Combined with Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing in Facial Atrophic Acne Scarring: A Randomized Split-face Clinical Study

Background:

A number of treatments for reducing the appearance of acne scars are available, but general guidelines for optimizing acne scar treatment do not exist. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness and side effects of fractional carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser resurfacing combined with punch elevation with fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing alone in the treatment of atrophic acne scars.

Materials and Methods:

Forty-two Iranian subjects (age range 18–55) with Fitzpatrick skin types III to IV and moderate to severe atrophic acne scars on both cheeks received randomized split-face treatments: One side received fractional CO₂ laser treatment and the other received one session of punch elevation combined with two sessions of laser fractional CO₂ laser treatment, separated by an interval of 1 month. Two dermatologists independently evaluated improvement in acne scars 4 and 16 weeks after the last treatment. Side effects were also recorded after each treatment.

Results:

The mean ± SD age of patients was 23.4 ± 2.6 years. Clinical improvement of facial acne scarring was assessed by two dermatologists blinded to treatment conditions. No significant difference in evaluation was observed 1 month after treatment (P = 0.56). Their evaluation found that fractional CO₂ laser treatment combined with punch elevation had greater efficacy than that with fractional CO₂ laser treatment alone, assessed 4 months after treatment (P = 0.02). Among all side effects, coagulated crust formation and pruritus at day 3 after fractional CO₂ laser treatment was significant on both treatment sides (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Concurrent use of fractional laser skin resurfacing with punch elevation offers a safe and effective approach for the treatment of acne scarring.     

Clinical trial of a pinpoint irradiation technique with the CO2 laser for the treatment of atrophic acne scars

Ablative laser resurfacing is an effective treatment for atrophic acne scars. However, it often induces complications such as edema, prolonged erythema, scarring and hyperpigmentation. Therefore, a new concept of laser treatment called fractional photothermolysis has been designed to create microscopic thermal wounds to achieve skin rejuvenation treatment of atrophic acne scars. This study was designed to prospectively evaluate the use of a technique similar to fractional photothermolysis using only the standard CO₂ laser without the fractional laser device in the treatment of atrophic scars and demonstrates it as a safe, effective and economical treatment option. Clinical improvement was achieved in all 35 patients with minimal adverse effects.     

Combination of intense pulsed light and fractional CO2 laser treatments for patients with acne with inflammatory and scarring lesions

Background. Various laser and light sources are been used increasingly in cosmetic dermatology. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination intense pulsed light (IPL) and fractional CO₂ laser in treating patients with acne with both inflammatory and scarring lesions. Methods. In total, 37 Chinese patients with acne with facial inflammatory and scar lesions were treated. Successive sessions of 4–6 IPL treatments followed by 2 sessions of fractional CO₂ laser treatments were applied. Effectiveness was determined by the dermatologist’s evaluation, patient self‐assessment, and devices that measure skin colour, sebum secretion and skin hydration. Results. IPL treatments significantly reduced the inflammatory lesion score and the atrophic scar score compared with baseline. Subsequent fractional CO₂ laser treatments further decreased the atrophic scar score. Both scores remained low when patients were followed up at 6 months. Around 90% of the patients experienced significant or moderate overall improvement, and almost 80% patients rated their results as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. The melanin index (MI), erythema index (EI) and skin sebum level all significantly decreased after IPL treatments, and the EI and sebum level were still low when assessed at the 3‐month follow‐up, although the MI had increased again. The adverse effects (AEs) of both treatments were transient and bearable. Conclusions.  IPL in combination with fractional CO₂ laser was effective in treating patients with acne with both inflammatory lesions and atrophic scars, and the AEs were acceptable.     

The efficacy of fractional CO2 laser in acne scar treatment: A meta‐analysis

Fractional CO₂ laser is a good option for treating acne scars. However, the clinical efficacy of this treatment modality requires further evidence. To perform a meta‐analysis to assess clinical improvements in acne scars with fractional CO₂ laser and non‐CO₂ laser therapies. Databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library) were searched using the search strategy to identify eligible studies. All statistical analyses were performed using the Review Manager 5.0, and a meta‐analysis was conducted to assess the effects of fractional CO₂ laser used as a treatment for acne scars. Eight studies were included for further analysis. There was no significant difference between fractional CO₂ laser and non‐CO₂ laser therapies in terms of clinical improvement, observer assessment (P = .19), patient assessment (P = .91), and incidence of post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (P = .69). The subgroup analyses showed that the duration of follow‐up had little effect on the evaluation of treatment effect. The efficacy of fractional CO₂ laser therapy in acne scars appeared to be equal to that of non‐CO₂ laser therapies. More well designed randomized controlled trials and more credible and standard evaluation criteria are needed, and the efficiency of combination therapy requires further analysis.     

Treatment of acne scarring with fractional CO2 laser

Abstract

Background: Fractional ablative CO₂ laser therapy is based on the theory of fractional photothermolysis. It can be effective in treating acne scars in a less invasive fashion than conventional ablative CO₂ laser therapy. Objective: In this clinical study, the safety and efficacy of a novel CO₂ fractional ablative laser was investigated for the treatment of facial atrophic acne scarring in Chinese individuals. Materials and methods: A total of 31 patients (11 females, 20 males, Fitzpatrick skin phototypes III–IV) with facial acne scarring received three sequential fractional treatments over a 6-month period. Outcome measurements included blinded evaluations of before and after photographs by two physicians at 3 and 12 months after the final treatment. Global improvement was noted as well as any untoward events. Results: At the 12 months follow-up time period, 12.9% of the patients showed excellent improvement in their acne scars, while 38.71% noted good to fair results. The clinical response at the 12-month follow-up visit tended to be better than at the 3-month follow-up visit, but was not statistically significant. Four patients experienced post-treatment and transient PIH but three patients were noted to have prolonged erythema. There was no evidence hypopigmentation or worsening of the scarring in any of the study patients. Conclusion: This high-energy pulsed and cool-scanned fractional ablative CO₂ laser system is safe and effective for facial atrophic acne scarring. Improvement in scarring was noted in the majority of patients with minimal discomfort and minimal downtime. Continued improvement over time is also an important clinical finding.     

Randomized clinical trial of CO2 LASER pinpoint irradiation technique versus chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) in treating ice pick acne scars

Abstract

Background: Pinpoint irradiation technique CO₂ LASER and Chemical Reconstruction Of Skin Scars (CROSS) are effective treatments for atrophic acne scars as fractional photothermolysis. Objective: This study was designed to prospectively compare the use of a pinpoint irradiation technique versus TCA CROSS in treating ice pick acne scars. Methods: Thirty-two patients with ice pick acne scars were included in this open, label pilot study. Pinpoint irradiation technique by CO₂ LASER and TCA CROSS were applied for the study and control group, respectively. Twenty-eight patients with ice pick acne scars were included in this open, label pilot study. They were randomly assigned to two groups: the first group (14 patients) received pinpoint irradiation by CO₂ LASER as a study group, and the second group (14 patients) received TCA CROSS as a control group. In both treatments, there were four sessions at 3-week interval, and 3 months of follow up. Results: There were statistically significant difference in acne scar severity index and qualitative scarring grading system in the improvement results between the study and control groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pinpoint irradiation technique by CO₂ LASER is safe and more effective than TCA CROSS technique. Clinical improvement was achieved in all 14 patients without dramatic adverse effects.     

Non‐ablative 1550‐nm erbium‐glass and ablative 10 600‐nm carbon dioxide fractional lasers for acne scars: a randomized split‐face study with blinded response evaluation

Background Non‐ablative 1550‐nm erbium‐doped fractional photothermolysis systems (FPS) and 10 600‐nm carbon dioxide fractional laser systems (CO₂ FS) have been effectively used to treat scars. Objective We compared the efficacy and safety of single‐session treatments of FPS and CO₂ FS for acne scars through a randomized, split‐face, evaluator‐blinded study. Methods Eight patients with acne scars were enrolled in this study. Half of each subject’s face was treated with FPS and the other half was treated with CO₂ FS. We used a quartile grading scale for evaluations. Results At 3 months after the treatment, the mean grade of improvement based on clinical assessment was 2.0 ± 0.5 for FPS and 2.5 ± 0.8 for CO₂ FS. On each side treated by FPS and CO₂ FS, the mean duration of post‐therapy crusting and scaling was 2.3 and 7.4 days respectively and that of post‐therapy erythema was 7.5 and 11.5 days respectively. The mean VAS pain score was 3.9 ± 2.0 with the FPS and 7.0 ± 2.0 with the CO₂ FS. Conclusion We demonstrated the efficacy and safety of single‐session acne scar treatment using FPS and CO₂ FS in East Asian patients. We believe that our study could be used as an essential reference when choosing laser modalities for scar treatment.     

Atrophic acne scar treatment using triple combination therapy: Dot peeling,subcision and fractional laser

Abstract

Atrophic scars are a common complication of acne. Many modalities are proposed but each does not yield satisfactory clinical outcomes. Thus, a new combination therapy is suggested that incorporates (i) dot peeling, the focal application and tattooing of higher trichloroacetic acid concentrations; (ii) subcision, the process by which there is separation of the acne scar from the underlying skin; and (iii) fractional laser irradiation. In this pilot study, the efficacy and safety of this method was investigated for the treatment of acne scars. Ten patients received this therapy for a year. Dot peeling and subcision were performed twice 2–3 months apart and fractional laser irradiation was performed every 3–4 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using scar severity scores and patients’ subjective ratings. Acne scarring improved in all of the patients completing this study. Acne scar severity scores decreased by a mean of 55.3%. Eighty percent of the patients felt significant or marked improvement. There were no significant complications at the treatment sites. It would appear that triple combination therapy is a safe and very effective combination treatment modality for a variety of atrophic acne scars.     

The efficacy of fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser combined with other therapies in acne scars

Fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser resurfacing is a frontline treatment for acne scars. It creates multiple microscopic treatment zones to accelerate the collagen formation and the healing process of reepithelialization, according the principle of fractional photothermolysis. At present, the fractional CO₂ laser with a wavelength of 10,600 nm is commonly used in the field of cosmetology and clinical therapies for various skin diseases, and it can effectively improve skin regeneration and scar formation. To obtain satisfactory results for patients with scars, repetitive fractional laser therapy is always required; however, this treatment could easily lead to complications such as erythema, edema, infection, and post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation. In addition, different types of acne scars may have different responses to laser, further limiting its widespread use. In recent studies both home and abroad, a new pattern of fractional laser combined with other therapies to improve acne scar has been recommended to guarantee the safety and effective of treatment. This article reviews the recent pertinent literatures and summarized the progression of ablative fractional CO₂ laser combined with other therapies on acne scar.     

Efficacy and safety of 1550-nm fractional laser in the treatment of acne scars in Chinese patients: A split-face comparative study

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of 1550-nm fractional Er:Glass laser in treating atrophic acne scar. Materials and methods: Thirty Chinese patients aged 18–65 with atrophic acne scars on both cheeks received a split-face treatment, one side with four sessions of treatment with fractional 1550-nm Er:Glass laser at 20-day interval and the other with topical asiaticoside cream application three times daily as control. Clinical response and side effects were evaluated by a dermatologist three weeks after each treatment and again 12 weeks after the last laser treatment. In addition, self-evaluation of satisfaction by the patients was done at the end of treatment. Results: The study found that mean scores decrease after treatment was 5.65 ± 4.34 for the treated side and 1.23 ± 3.41 for the control side. The improvement in acne scars after the fractional Er:Glass laser 1550-nm treatment was more significant than the control side (p = 0.0001). The side effects were mainly local skin irritation and erythema, which disappeared within one week. Conclusion: The research results show that the fractional 1550-nm Er:Glass laser is an effective and safe treatment device for atrophic acne scars.     

Effectiveness of CO2 laser with subcision in patients with acne scars

Background: Post-acne facial scarring has always been a challenge to treat. It requires multiple therapeutic modalities as single modality is not hundred percent effective. Therefore, we have combined CO₂ laser resurfacing with subcision in patients with acne scars for better results. Objectives: The aim is to study the effectiveness and side effects of CO₂ laser with subcision in patients with atrophic acne scars. Methods: Fifty patients were selected for the study. Baseline grading was done with Goodman and Baron grading system. Twenty-five patients were randomly selected for subcision followed by CO₂ laser and the remaining patients were selected for CO₂ laser alone. The treatment was done for four sessions at 4-week interval. Clinical photographs were obtained for evaluation. Results: CO₂ laser with subcision showed excellent response in grade-2 and -3 acne scars. Statistically there is a significant difference between CO₂ laser following subcision and CO₂ laser alone at 5% level (p < 0.05). Both procedures were well tolerated with minimal side effects. Conclusion: The highly versatile CO₂ laser is useful for treating acne scars. Subcision prior to the CO₂ laser procedure showed better improvement when compared to CO₂ laser alone. Thus, in acne scars, multiple therapeutic modalities achieve better results.     

The efficacy and safety of subcision using CO2 gas combined with fractional laser for acne scars: Clinical and microscopic evaluation

Background: Various modalities have been used to treat acne scars. CO₂ fractional laser is an effective and commonly used treatment. CO₂ gas injection into the dermis by needle with high pressure can cause fibrotic collagen breakage, producing the effects of subcision. CO₂ also stimulates collagen synthesis by increasing neovascularization and releasing oxygen. Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy and the safety of the combined treatment with CO₂ gas subcision and CO₂ fractional laser for acne scars. Methods and materials: Fourteen patients with acne scars were treated with three sessions of CO₂ gas subcision at 2-week intervals and two sessions of fractional laser at 4-week interval. The clinical improvement was assessed using a 4-point scale. For histologic analysis, punch biopsy was performed before and after treatment in 10 patients. Results: All patients experienced clinical improvements. Excellent, marked, moderate, and mild response was achieved in 1 (7%), 8 (57%), 4 (29%), and 1 patient (7%), respectively. Histologic evaluation of the biopsy specimens showed increased dermal collagen with dermal thickening and elastic fiber straightening in the reticular dermis after the treatment. Conclusion: The combination therapy with CO₂ gas subcision and fractional laser was satisfactory and safe for treating acne scars.

Abbreviation and acronym:

CO₂: Carbon dioxide

GAS: Global assessment scale

H&E: hematoxylin and eosin; SD: standard deviation     

超脉冲CO2点阵激光治疗面部萎缩性痤疮瘢痕40例分析

目的：评价超脉冲CO2点阵激光治疗面部萎缩性痤疮瘢痕的疗效.方法：面部萎缩性痤疮瘢痕40例,根据患者皮肤类型、痤疮瘢痕形状、深度、密度选用超脉冲CO2点阵激光的参数治疗,并进行治疗前后对比.结果：与治疗前相比,总有效率为92.5%,治疗中未观察到严重不良反应.结论：超脉冲CO2点阵激光治疗面部萎缩性痤疮瘢痕疗效显著,副作用小,安全性高.     

Evaluation of autologous platelet-rich plasma plus ablative carbon dioxide fractional laser in the treatment of acne scars

Introduction: Acne scar is a common distressing complication of acne vulgaris. CO₂ laser resurfacing proved effective for the treatment of this problem, but the associated complications may limit its use. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may increase the chance of favorable outcome. Aim of the work: To evaluate the synergistic effects of autologous PRP with fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing in the treatment of acne scars among Egyptian patients. Patients and method: This study included 30 patients suffering from post-acne scars. CO₂ laser treatment was applied to both sides of the face followed by PRP injection for the right side. Evaluation was carried out through operating physicians, two blinded physicians as well as through patient’s satisfaction. Result: The right side of the face (PRP-treated side) achieved excellent improvement in 13.3% of the patients, while there was no excellent improvement on the left side. Conclusion: Combination of fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing and intradermal PRP was superior to CO₂ laser alone for acne scar treatment.     

Fractional CO2 lasers for the treatment of atrophic acne scars: A review of the literature

Abstract

This review examines the efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ lasers for the treatment of atrophic scarring secondary to acne vulgaris. We reviewed 20 papers published between 2008 and 2013 that conducted clinical studies using fractional CO₂ lasers to treat atrophic scarring. We discuss the prevalence and pathogenesis of acne scarring, as well as the laser mechanism. The histologic findings are included to highlight the ability of these lasers to induce the collagen reorganization and formation that improves scar appearance. We considered the number of treatments and different laser settings to determine which methods achieve optimal outcomes. We noted unique treatment regimens that yielded superior results. An overview of adverse effects is included to identify the most common ones. We concluded that more studies need to be done using uniform treatment parameters and reporting in order to establish which fractional CO₂ laser treatment approaches allow for the greatest scar improvement.     

Efficacy and safety of a single treatment using a 10,600-nm carbon dioxide fractional laser for mild-to-moderate atrophic acne scars in Asian skin

BackgroundAblative laser therapy with carbon dioxide is effective for acne scars; however, the long downtime limits its use, especially in types III and IV skin. The fractional ablative 10,600-nm carbon dioxide laser system reportedly maximizes efficacy and minimizes side effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an ablative 10,600-nm carbon dioxide fractional laser system in a single treatment session on atrophic acne scars in Asian patients.MethodsTwenty-five patients with atrophic acne scars were enrolled. The laser fluences were delivered using the Deep FX mode. Comparative photographs were taken with VISIA complexion analysis. Physician evaluation and patient satisfaction were graded on a four-point scale.ResultsAt follow-up 1 month after treatment, four patients showed 51–75% improvement, 16 had 26–50% improvement, and five had minimal or no improvement. At 3 months, two patients had excellent results (76% and 100% improvement). Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was present in six of the 25 (24%) patients; by 3 months' follow-up, this had faded in five of six cases.ConclusionA single treatment with the carbon dioxide fractional laser system is effective for acne scars in Asian patients, with minimal and acceptable side effects.     

Treatment of Acne Scars and Wrinkles in Asian Patients Using Carbon-Dioxide Fractional Laser Resurfacing: Its Effects on Skin Biophysical Profiles

Background

Although ablative fractional resurfacing is known to be effective against photoaging and acne scars, studies on its efficacy, safety and changes in the skin characteristics of Asians are limited.

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of carbon dioxide fractional laser (CO₂FL) in Koreans treated for wrinkles and acne scars, and to define the changes in skin characteristics during recovery period.

Methods

We administered one session of CO₂FL on 10 acne scar patients and 14 wrinkles patients with skin types IV and V. The surveillance of efficacy and side effects along with the measurement of biophysical properties was carried out before 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after treatment.

Results

Using a non-invasive method, skin barrier damage, erythema and bronzing of skin during the recovery period were assessed, and all of the items eventually returned to the pre-treatment level. Skin elasticity was measured in the wrinkle group, and the statistically significant effect was sustained throughout the next three months. The outcome of treatment was found to be better than ''moderate improvement'' in both the acne scar and wrinkle groups. Further, there were no serious side effects three months post-procedure.

Conclusion

CO₂ FL is thought to be an effective and safe method for treating moderate to severe acne scars and wrinkles in Asians.     

Fractional CO2 laser treatment for a skin graft

Skin grafts are widely used in reconstructive and plastic surgery, leaving an inevitable scar appearance on the body, affecting the quality of life of the patients. Fractional ablative lasers have become a leading procedure for the treatment of acne and burn scars. We report a case of a skin graft showing excellent improvement in overall appearance after three sessions of fractional CO₂ laser. The undamaged tissue left between the microthermal treatment zones is responsible of collagen formation and reepithelialization. Remodeling and collagen formation are observed even 6 months after a fractional CO₂ laser session.     

Single‐pass CO2 laser skin resurfacing of light and dark skin: extended experience with 52 patients

BACKGROUND: Multiple‐pass carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser skin resurfacing has been a favored treatment modality for photodamaged and acne‐scarred skin over the past several years. Its association with numerous side effects and complications, particularly prolonged erythema and dyspigmentation, however, has dampened the initial enthusiasm reserved for its use. By reducing the laser‐associated tissue ablation depth and degree of thermal necrosis, it is possible that the incidence of these side effects can also be reduced.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and side effect profile of single‐pass CO₂ laser skin resurfacing in a large series of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 consecutive patients (skin phototypes I–VI) with mild facial rhytides, atrophic scars, or infraorbital hyperpigmentation underwent single‐pass treatment with a high‐energy, pulsed CO₂ laser. Side effects to treatment were closely monitored and tabulated. Clinical improvement using a quartile grading scale was assessed independently by two masked medical evaluators at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS: Significant clinical improvement was seen in all patients, with peak improvement scores noted at 12 months. Greater clinical improvement was seen in patients with darker skin tones despite the near universal incidence of transient postoperative hyperpigmentation in these patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Single‐pass CO₂ laser skin resurfacing can improve the appearance of fine rhytides, mild atrophic scars, and infraorbital hyperpigmentation in all skin types. The severity and duration of side effects and complications are reduced with this technique (compared with multiple‐pass procedures) and may offer a possible solution to the problem of treating patients with darker complexions.     

Fractional CO2 Laser Versus Intense Pulsed Light in Treating Striae Distensae

Context:Striae distensae are linear atrophic dermal scars covered with flat atrophic epidermis. They may cause disfigurement, especially in females. Many factors may cause striae distensae such as steroids, obesity, and pregnancy. Although there is no standard treatment for striae; many topical applications, peeling, and light and laser systems have been tried.Aims:To evaluate and compare the efficacy of fractional CO₂ laser with intense pulse light in treating striae distensae.Results:Both groups showed significant improvement after treatments (P < 0.05). Patients treated with fractional CO₂ laser showed significant improvement after the fifth session compared with those treated with ten sessions of intense pulsed light (P < 0.05) in all parameters except in the length of striae (P > 0.05).Conclusions:The current study has provided supportive evidence to the effectiveness of both fractional CO₂ laser and intense pulse light as treatments for striae distensae. Fractional CO₂ laser was found to be more effective in the treatment of striae distensae compared with intense pulse light.