Outcome of erbium:yttrium aluminium garnet laser resurfacing treatments

Erbium:yttrium aluminium garnet (erbium:YAG) laser treatment was used to resurface skin abnormalities in patients suffering from conditions that included epidermal naevi, tuberous sclerosis, angiofibromata, neurofibromatosis, and scarring caused by acne or other means. Patients completed self-report questionnaires before their first laser test patch session, and again approximately 4 months after one treatment, so that its success could be evaluated from the patient's perspective. Disability and distress were quantified with the University of York Health Measurement Questionnaire (HMQ). Satisfaction with appearance was measured with a specifically designed Salisbury Appearance Scale (SAS) questionnaire. Pretreatment questionnaires were completed by 108 (HMQ) and 80 (SAS) patients. Thirty-six (HMQ) and 22 (SAS) patients completed a full treatment during the study period. Some patients had a test patch only during the study period. Others decided against further treatment after the test patch. Control SAS questionnaires were completed by 29 subjects on two occasions and showed no change over time. There was a significant improvement in patient satisfaction with appearance (SAS), but there was no significant difference in the disability and distress (HMQ) after erbium:YAG resurfacing.