Non-ablative 1550-nm erbium-glass and ablative 10,600-nm CO2 fractional lasers for acne scars: a randomized split-face study

Non-ablative 1550nm erbium-glass fractional laser (FPS) and ablative 10,600nm CO2 fractional laser (CO2 FS) have both been effectively used for Scar treatment, and this study compared the single-session treatment efficacy and safety of the two lasers for Acne Scar. This was a randomized split-face evaluator-blinded study involving 8 patients with Acne Scar, where one half of each patient's face was treated with FPS and the other half with CO2 FS, and evaluated using a quartile grading scale. In the clinical evaluation 3 months after treatment, the average improvement scores were 2.0 for FPS and 2.5 for CO2 FS. The duration of post-treatment crusting, desquamation, and erythema was longer on the CO2 FS side, and the pain score was also higher with CO2 FS. The authors concluded that single-session FPS and CO2 FS Acne Scar treatments are effective and safe in East Asians and could serve as a reference for laser selection.