A critical appraisal of high-energy pulsed carbon dioxide laser facial resurfacing for acne scars.

Thirteen patients with mild and severe acne scarring have been treated with the Ultra Pulse carbon dioxide laser over a 24-month period. Nine patients had full-face and 4 patients had regional reurfacing. All patients were pretreated with a Retin-A preparation. The patients healed in an average of 7.3 days and erythema was gone in an average of 7.6 weeks. Eight patients with mild acne experienced a good (1 patient) or excellent (7 patients) result. Of the 5 patients with severe acne characterized by marked irregularity, deep defects, and atrophy, 2 patients experienced fair results and 2 experienced good results (1 patient was lost to follow-up). Thus, laser resurfacing for severe atrophic acne achieves only moderate results, while treatment for mild acne can provide excellent results.