Treating acne scars in 2020: Use of lasers

Abstract

Background Acne scarring is an unfortunate complication of acne vulgaris. Acne scars occur in nearly 49% of people that suffer from acne and has shown psychosocial effects such as poor self‐esteem, social isolation, low confidence, in addition to a significant depression risk factor and suicide. Multimodal treatment approaches can improve efficacy and treatment considerations should be based on individualized patients. Utilizing lasers in treating acne scars as well as acne scars in ethnic skin are reviewed. Energy‐based devices include fractional (ablative and nonablative) for moderate to severe acne in addition to novel device systems. Methods A literature review of treating acne scars with lasers including pulse dye laser, fractional (ablative and nonablative), picosecond, and novel devices. Results Use of lasers in treating acne scars is an effective approach and multimodal device options for acne scarring are presented in the review. Conclusion Acne‐scarring laser treatment modalities and evidence‐based treatments should be promoted for each individual patient. Updated laser treatments for acne scarring are covered, in addition to ethnic skin, along with a discussion and selection on laser treatment modalities.

Resurfacing of atrophic facial acne scars with a multimodality CO2 and 1570 nm laser system

“…Yet, laser resurfacing techniques have become the mainstay approach as they have proven more tolerable and controllable and simpler to master. 6 Ablative resurfacing with high-energy 10 600 nm CO 2 or 2940 nm Er:YAG lasers stimulates ablative or coagulative processes in the upper layers of the skin and yields substantial skin tone and texture improvements within short periods. However, such modalities are considerably aggressive, with prolonged downtime and high risk of short-and long-term adverse reactions, including hyperpigmentation and further scarring.…”

“…Historically, dermabrasion was the standard of care resurfacing technique applied to mechanically ablate the affected epidermis and promote physiological wound responses and subsequent skin remodeling. Yet, laser resurfacing techniques have become the mainstay approach as they have proven more tolerable and controllable and simpler to master 6 . Ablative resurfacing with high‐energy 10 600 nm CO 2 or 2940 nm Er:YAG lasers stimulates ablative or coagulative processes in the upper layers of the skin and yields substantial skin tone and texture improvements within short periods.…”