ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of focal fractional laser treatment(FFLT)for atrophic acne scars. Methods A randomized, self-controlled study was performed. A total of 20 patients with atrophic facial acne scars were enrolled into this study. Treatments were randomly administered in a split-face manner. Half of each subject′s face received FFLT(FFLT side), and the other half underwent full-face fractional CO2 laser resurfacing(control side), for one session. All the patients were followed up for 3 months after the treatment. Evaluation was based on the ECCA grading scale (échelle d′évaluation clinique des cicatrices d′acné)and patient satisfaction score. A VISIA skin detector was used to take photographs and evaluate skin texture. Moreover, physical parameters of the skin, including erythema index, melanin index and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), were measured. Adverse effects were recorded and evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out by paired t test, Wilcoxon paired rank test, Fisher′s exact test and repeated-measure analysis of variance. Results The ECCA score decreased from 51.24 ± 17.61 at the baseline to 34.46 ± 14.99 at 3 months after the treatment at the FFLT side(t = 7.886, P 0.05). Compared with those before the treatment, skin texture scores decreased in both sides (both P 0.05)from 2 weeks to 3 months after the treatment(all P > 0.05). Conclusion FFLT can improve therapeutic outcomes in atrophic acne scars with reduced adverse reactions.