Background: Atrophic acne scars are a common concern among patients with severe acne, often leading to aesthetic and psychological distress. While multiple treatment options exist, effective management remains challenging. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed patients with atrophic acne scars treated with the Nd:YAG 1064 nm/532 nm picosecond laser. A combination of flat 1064 nm, fractional 1064 nm, and 532 nm modes was applied, with intensified treatment in scarred areas. Patients received one or more sessions at 6 to 8-week intervals. Two independent physicians evaluated pre- and post-treatment photographs using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and Global Acne Scar Improvement Scale (GASIS) (−1 to 4). Pain levels were recorded using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0-10). Adverse effects were also assessed. Results: A total of 69 patients (9 males and 60 females; mean age 28 y, range: 17–42 y) were enrolled. Each patient received one to ten treatment sessions, totaling 200 sessions. The GAIS and GASIS scores averaged 1.97 ± 1.39 and 1.05 ± 1.02, respectively. Post-treatment adverse effects were mild and transient. No pigmentary changes or herpetic lesions were observed. Patients with severe pruritus or acneiform eruptions benefited from topical corticosteroids. No serious side effects, such as blistering, hypopigmentation, bacterial or viral infections, or scar formation, were reported. Conclusion: The comprehensive Nd:YAG picosecond laser approach is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for atrophic acne scars, providing significant aesthetic improvement with a short recovery period and a high safety profile.
Jia et al. (2025) studied this question.