Clinical Observation Of Fractional Ultrapulse CO₂Laser In Treating Moderate To Severe Atrophic Acne Scar

Bacground: Fractional resurfacing is a new concept of cutaneousremodeling whereby laser induced zones of microthermal injury are surroundedby normal untreated tissue.Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy andcomplications of fractionated Ultrapulse CO2laser treatment when usingdifferent fluences and density settings in treating moderate to severe acne scars.Methods: Twenty Asian patients were enrolled in the study.Group A（n=10）:half of the face was treated with one pass at10%density,at an energysetting of20mJ.The other half of the face was treated with one pass at20%density,at an energy setting of20mJ.Group B（n=10）:half of the face was treatedwith one pass at10%density,at an energy setting of10mJ.The other half of theface was treated with one pass at10%density,at an energy setting of20mJ.Applicating B.Dreno’s ECCA grading scale to grade these acne scar cases postand after treatment,and compared these data.The patients were evaluated forclinical efficacy and treatment-related side effects at1day,3days,7days,1monthand3months after the treatment.Results: Pain,erythema,PIH and swelling were observed to be significantlymore evident or persisted longer in patients treated with higher densities andfluences （P<0.05）.The efficacy and patient satisfaction have no significantdifference in patients treated with higher fluences or densitys （P＞0.05）.Conclusions: High density and high energy were more likely to produceswelling,redness and hyperpigmentation when compared to low density andenergy.Clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction have no significant differencewhen their skin is treated with high fluence or density.So low fluence with low-density CO₂fractional resurfacing is effective and relatively safety inAsians treating moderate to severe acne scars.