Quality-of-Life Improvement in Patients With Post-Acne Scars: Nd:yag (1064 Nm) Monotherapy Versus Combined Er:yag (2940 Nm) and Nd:yag Laser Therapy

Introduction. Post-acne scars are a frequent long-term consequence of acne vulgaris and may significantly affect facial aesthetics, psychosocial well-being, and overall quality of life. Despite the availability of multiple therapeutic options, managing post-acne scarring remains challenging due to variable treatment efficacy, prolonged therapeutic courses, and inconsistent patient satisfaction. Laser technologies have become widely used in scar correction; however, comparative evidence on optimized laser-based approaches — particularly regarding clinically meaningful outcomes and quality-of-life improvement — remains limited. Aim. To optimize treatment strategies for post-acne scars and to evaluate their impact on patients’ quality of life. Materials and methods. This prospective randomized comparative study included 30 patients aged 18–40 years (26 women and 4 men) with clinically confirmed post-acne scars in stable remission. The diagnosis and baseline severity of post-acne scarring were confirmed by clinical visual assessment in accordance with the qualitative principles of the Goodman and Baron global acne scarring classification. Participants were allocated into two groups: Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser monotherapy (n = 15) or combined Er:YAG (2940 nm) and Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser therapy (n = 15). Treatment was administered over a 24-week follow-up period, with 12 sessions performed at 2-week intervals. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at weeks 8, 16, and 24. Quality of life was measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Safety was evaluated by documenting all treatment-related adverse events. Results. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between groups. Both protocols resulted in gradual improvement in DLQI scores; however, patients receiving combined Er:YAG + Nd:YAG therapy demonstrated faster and more pronounced reductions, with significantly greater DLQI improvement from week 8 onward (weeks 8, 16, and 24; p < 0.05). Clinical examination revealed more notable enhancement of scar texture and skin surface uniformity in the combined-therapy group. Both treatments were well tolerated, with only mild and transient adverse events. Conclusions. Both laser protocols improved clinical outcomes and patient quality of life. The combined Er:YAG + Nd:YAG approach provided more substantial and rapid improvement compared with Nd:YAG monotherapy, supporting its value as an effective and safe strategy for routine clinical practice.