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Objective and Long‐Term Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a 1064‐nm Picosecond Laser With Fractionated Microlens Array for the Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scar in Asians
Author(s) -
Manuskiatti Woraphong,
Punyaratabandhu Preawphan,
Tantrapornpong Ploypailin,
Yan Chadakan,
Cembrano Kathryn Anne G.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.23368
Subject(s) - medicine , scars , acne scars , dermatology , surgery
Background and Objective Fractional 1064‐nm picosecond‐domain laser has recently been utilized for the treatment of atrophic acne scars and showed promising results. However, data on the safety and efficacy of this procedure in dark‐skinned patients are limited. This prospective, self‐controlled study was conducted to objectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 1064‐nm picosecond laser coupled with a microlens array (MLA) for the treatment of atrophic acne scars on Asian skin. Study Design/Materials and Methods Twenty‐six subjects of Fitzpatrick skin types (FSTs) III and IV with atrophic acne scars were enrolled. All subjects were treated with a 1064‐nm picosecond laser (spot size of 8 mm, fluence of 1.0 J/cm 2 , a repetition rate of 10 Hz) in combination with the MLA handpiece for an average of three passes, for 6 monthly sessions. Objective (measurement of scar volume using three‐dimensional (3D) photography and skin roughness analysis using ultraviolet A‐light video camera) and subjective (clinical evaluation by two blinded dermatologists) assessments were obtained at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the final treatment. Results Statistically significant reduction of the scar volume from baseline at 1, 3, and 6 months after the final treatment were observed by 3D photography and ultraviolet A‐light video camera. At the 6‐month follow‐up, 50% (13 of 26) of the subjects were rated as having at least 50% improvement of the scars. The rate of improvement significantly increased from the 1‐month follow‐up to the 6‐month follow‐up ( P = 0.013). Similarly, at the 6‐month follow‐up, the scar volume ( P = 0.024) and skin roughness ( P = 0.001) also significantly improved, in comparison with the baseline. Mild postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) was observed to develop in approximately 18% of all the treatment sessions. All cases of PIH were temporary and resolved within 4 weeks on average. Conclusions The 1064‐nm picosecond laser with MLA is a safe therapeutic alternative for the treatment of atrophic acne scars in dark‐skinned individuals. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC