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Comparative Study of
1540-nm Non-Ablative Fractional Erbium Laser versus 2940-nm Ablative
Erbium: YAG Laser in Resurfacing of Post -Acne Scarring
Atef A. Allam(1)
&Nahla R. Ghaly(2)
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit(1) & Department
of Dermatology and Venereology(2), Tanta Faculty of
Medicine, Tanta, Egypt
Tanta Med. Sc. J 2008; 3(4):29-39
Article type: Original article
Background/Aim: Atrophic
post-acne scarring remains a therapeutically challenging problem
despite various currently available technologies. Although ablative
laser skin resurfacing is an effective treatment for post-acne
scarring, however the long downtime and post-treatment complications
are common. Non-ablative fractional laser is a novel concept of
cutaneous resurfacing based on microthermal zones heating for
collagen remodeling without burning the epidermis. The objective of
this study is to compare between 1540-nm non-ablative fractional
erbium laser versus 2940-nm ablative erbium: YAG laser in
resurfacing of post-acne scarring as regard efficacy, tolerability
and side effects. Patients & Methods: A total of thirty patients
(skin phenotypes III to V) with facial post-acne scarring were
divided into two equal groups who received either 2-3 sessions of
ablative erbium: YAG laser or 6-9 sessions of non-ablative
fractional erbium laser with 3 months follow up. Assessment of the
clinical improvement of the scars and development of any
complications were done in addition to the degree of subjective
satisfaction. Results: In our series, the overall average clinical
improvement was 76% and 75% among the ablative and fractional groups
respectively while, the incidence of post-treatment sequelae and
complications was higher and of longer duration in the ablative
laser group. Conclusion: Both techniques have near similar post-acne
scarring resurfacing capacity, however, treatment with ablative
erbium laser has the advantages of predictable clinical improvement
within shorter time but with longer downtime and increased risk of
side effects namely oozing, crustation and hyper-pigmentation
especially in the dark skin types and its limited use during winter.
On the other hand, the fractional laser efficacy was not as
impressive as issued by others in addition to the long treatment
course. Meanwhile, it has the advantages of minimal downtime and
fewer side effects with short term adverse sequelae even in dark
skin types with its safe use all over the year.
ICID 881847 |