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Published on: September 27, 2024
Nonablative Fractional Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scarring in Patients With Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes IV-VI
Andrew F Alexis1, Marcelyn K Coley, Rajiv I Nijhawan
1*Skin of Color Center, Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, New York, New York; †Summit Medical Group, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey; ‡Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; §Department of Dermatology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California; ‖Department of Dermatology, Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; ¶Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; #Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
Background:
There is a paucity of studies investigating laser resurfacing in Fitzpatrick skin phototypes (SPT) IV to VI.
Objective:
To assess the efficacy and safety of fractional nonablative laser resurfacing in the treatment of acne scarring in patients with SPT IV to VI.
Methods And Materials:
The authors conducted a randomized, investigator-blinded and rater-blinded, split-face comparative study of adults with SPT IV to VI and facial acne scars treated with 2 different density settings and the same fluence.
Results:
Quantitative global scarring grading system (QGSGS) scores were significantly improved from baseline at 16 and 24 weeks (p = .0277). Improvements in QGSGS scores after higher and lower density treatments were statistically similar (p = .96). The live-blinded dermatologist, the blinded dermatologist photoraters, and the patients rated scars as being significantly more improved by visual analog scale at weeks 16 and 24 compared with baseline (p < .001) for both treatment densities. Five of 7 and 3 of 7 patients in the higher and lower density group, respectively, experienced mild or moderate hyperpigmentation as an investigator observed site reaction.
Conclusion:
The nonablative 1550-nm fractional laser is safe and efficacious in treating acne scaring in Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI. Self-limited postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was a common occurrence, especially with higher treatment densities.
