Ablative Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser and Autologous Platelet‐Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars: A Comparative Clinico‐Immuno‐Histopathological Study

Background and Objectives To compare the efficacy of autologous platelet‐rich plasma (PRP), ablative fractional carbon dioxide (FCO 2 ) laser, and their combination in the treatment of atrophic acne scars, both clinically and immuno‐histopathologically. Study Design/Materials and Methods Sixty patients were randomly divided into three equal groups. Group 1 received intradermal PRP injection sessions. Group 2 received FCO 2 laser sessions. Group 3 received FCO 2 laser followed by intradermal PRP injection sessions. Each group received three sessions at monthly intervals. The final assessment took place 3 months after the last session. Skin biopsies were obtained before and 1 month after treatment sessions with pathological evaluation. Results Combined PRP and FCO 2 laser‐treated patients had a better clinical response, fewer side effects, and shorter downtime than FCO 2 laser alone. PRP‐treated patients had some improvement but significantly lower than the other two groups. Conclusion The current study concluded that a combination of PRP and FCO 2 laser is an effective and safe modality in the treatment of atrophic acne scars with better results than PRP or FCO 2 laser alone. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC