Dermatol Ther. 2022 Jul 6:e15693. doi: 10.1111/dth.15693. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Multiple approaches are used to treat acne scars, but some are expensive, ineffective, and cause complications. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultra-pulsed CO2 fractional laser combined with 30% supramolecular salicylic acid in the treatment of acne scars in a prospective split-face control study.
METHODS: Twenty patients with facial symmetrical acne scars were enrolled. One side of face was randomly treated with 30% supramolecular salicylic acid, and two sides were treated with ultra-pulsed CO2 fractional laser. The Echelle d’evaluation clinique des cicatrices d’acne (ECCA) scale was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy before and three months after treatment, and a quartile scale was used to self-evaluate the improvement of patients. A visual analog scale was used to record pain scores after each treatment, and side effects and other adverse reactions on the face were recorded.
RESULTS: All the patients completed treatment and follow-up. There was statistical difference in ECCA scores of bilateral facial acne scars after three treatments (P<0.001). ECCA scores on the combined side were lower after three treatments than those on the laser side (P=0.003). The patient satisfaction quartile scale on the combined side was higher than that on the laser side alone (P=0.015).
CONCLUSION: Ultra-pulsed CO2 fractional laser combined with 30% supramolecular salicylic acid has better efficacy in the treatment of acne scars than laser alone, and patient self-assessment of combined treatment has a greater degree of improvement in acne scars, and does not increase patient pain scores and related adverse reactions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID:35791845 | DOI:10.1111/dth.15693
