Treatment of atrophic facial scars of acne vulgaris by Q-Switched Nd:YAG (Neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet) laser 1064 nm wavelength

Abstract

Background. Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) is a new modality that was reported to be effective in treatment of acne scars. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of this laser in treatment of acne scars. Patients and methods. This case series, descriptive and comparative study was conducted in Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital of Kufa Medical College, Iraq from October 2010 to October 2011. A total of 16 patients having mild to moderate facial acne scars were enrolled; 10 of them completed the study. All patients had Fitzpatrick skin type III. They were divided into two groups A and B and were treated with two different energy fluences: 5 J/cm2 for group (A) and 15 J/cm2 for group (B). Five treatment sessions with 2-week intervals were done for all patients and were followed up for 6 months. The improvement was evaluated by objective and subjective methods. Results. Changes in acne scores in both groups were statistically insignificant after 6 months follow-up. Only two patients were satisfied with the improvement after treatment– one patient from each group. No serious side effects were reported. Conclusion. Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) can be used in treating atrophic facial scars of acne vulgaris.

Key Words::

• lasers and light sources
• surgery

Acknowledgements

The authors are indebted to all members who assisted in completing this study, including the patients themselves, the medical and paramedical staff and the laser technicians in The Teaching Hospital of Kufa Medical College.

The authors also wish to specially thank the Head of Community Medicine and Biostatistics Department in Al-Kufa College of Medicine, Professor Abdul Kareem Abdullah for greatly assisting in doing the statistical analysis of this study.

Disclosure of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.