Non-ablative 1550 nm erbium-glass and ablative 10,600 nm carbon dioxide fractional lasers for various types of scars in Asian people: evaluation of 100 patients.

OBJECTIVE

We compared the efficacy and safety of treatments with photothermolysis systems (FPS) and carbon dioxide fractional laser system (CO2 FS) for various types of scars in Asians.

BACKGROUND DATA

Concerns regarding the cosmetic outcomes of scar treatment are increasing, and non-ablative 1550 nm erbium-glass FPS and 10,600 nm CO2 FS have been effectively used to improve the appearance of various types of scars.

METHODS

One hundred patients with various types of scars were enrolled. The laser devices were chosen individually, based on the characteristics of the scars. We used a quintile grading scale for evaluations.

RESULTS

At 3 months after treatment, the mean grade of improvement based on clinical assessment was 2.64±0.76 for FPS, 2.60±0.68 for CO2 FS, and 2.94±0.83 for combination therapy (p=0.249). The mean grade of improvement was higher in patients who received treatment within 3 years of scar development (2.84±0.69) than in patients who received treatment >3 years after scar development (2.51±0.82; p=0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

FPS and CO2 FS were both effective and safe for the treatment of scars, and can also be used together safely as a combination treatment. The proper laser device and proper treatment time should be decided considering various factors.