Ann Dermatol.  2001 Jun;13(2):71-75. 10.5021/ad.2001.13.2.71.

Cutaneous Resurfacing of the Pitted Acne Scars with the Erbium:YAG laser in 100 Patients

• Yu DS
• Kim SN
• Kye YC

• KMID: 2163866
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2001.13.2.71

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Laser resurfacing of cutaneous scars, rhytides, and photodamaged skin has become very popular. Pulsed erbium:YAG laser resurfacing has recently come into favor for the treatment of pitted acne scars.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of pulsed erbium:YAG laser in cutaneous resurfacing of pitted acne scars.
METHODS
100 patients with pitted acne scars were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated by means of a pulsed erbium:YAG laser with a 2 mm handpiece at the setting of 500 to 1000mJ/pulse and fluences used varied between 5-15J/cm2. Photographs of the face were obtained at baseline and 2 week postoperatively. Two weeks after treatment, postoperative care such as applying hydroquinone 4% and tretinoin 0.05% was recommended for 2 to 4 weeks.
RESULTS
Out of 100 patients, 20% of patients showed an excellent response, 50% a good response, 21% a fair response and 9% a poor response. After 6 months, erythema had developed in two patients and and three patients had developed postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation and delayed contact dermatitis.
CONCLUSION
Treatment with pulsed erbium:YAG laser shows high efficacy and low morbidity in pitted acne scar resurfacing.

Keyword

Erbium:YAG laser; Pitted acne scar

MeSH Terms

Acne Vulgaris*
Cicatrix*
Dermatitis, Contact
Erythema
Humans
Hyperpigmentation
Hypopigmentation
Postoperative Care
Skin
Tretinoin
Tretinoin