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.