Background and Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractional 1064 nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser combined with intense pulsed light (IPL) in the treatment of atrophic acne scar with post-inflammatory erythema (PIE). © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Seventeen patients received five sessions of treatment at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and were followed up at week 28. One half of the face was randomly treated by fractional 1064 nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser combined with IPL (FxPico + IPL), and the other by IPL alone as a control.

Results

For the 15 patients who completed the study, the FxPico + IPL side demonstrated significant median Échelle D'évaluation clinique des cicatrices D'acné (ECCA) score improvement (P < 0.01), while IPL alone side did not (P = 0.1250). The pore counts for both sides decreased but more pore count reduction was seen on the FxPico + IPL side (P < 0.05). Better scar improvement was observed on the FxPico + IPL-treated side (P < 0.05) while no difference in erythema improvement was seen between the two sides. There was no difference between the two treatments in terms of overall satisfaction. Pain, erythema, edema, petechiae, crusting, reactive acneiform eruptions, and pruritus were common adverse effects and were mild to moderate.

Conclusion

FxPico + IPL is an effective, efficient, and safe treatment regimen for atrophic acne scars complicated by PIE.