Nonablative Acne Scar Reduction after a Series of Treatments with a Short-Pulsed 1,064-nm Neodymium:YAG Laser

Abstract

Our findings support the use of a short-pulsed, low-fluence 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser as a safe, effective treatment for facial acne scarring. Scar improvement was noted in all treated subjects with minimal discomfort and no downtime. This protocol appears to be most effective at reducing scar depth and softening scar contours. A laser upgrade needed for the study was provided to the authors at a reduced price.

Retrospective analysis of non‐ablative scar treatment in dark skin types using the sub‐millisecond Nd:YAG 1,064 nm Laser

“…In previous studies, the sub-millisecond 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser therapy has been shown to stimulate collagen [13] and to improve scar severity [20]. However, no assessment has been performed on secondary improvement to texture and pigment.…”

“…Patient photos(1,3,4,13,14,15,20) at baseline and at follow-up visit after final treatment. Patient 1: (a) Baseline, (b) 9 months post-final treatment (six sessions).…”

Acne scarring: A review and current treatment modalities

“…However, all reported that they were satisfied with the results and would undergo the same treatment again. 87 Recent studies have evaluated the effectiveness for atrophic scars as well. For example, 12 subjects (age 18-36 years, average age 27.6 years; Fitzpatrick II-V) with mild to moderate atrophic acne were treated with the 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser every 4 to 6 weeks over 8 months to total 5 sessions.…”

Comparison of a 585-nm pulsed dye laser and a 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of acne scars: A randomized split-face clinical study

“…[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] However, comparative studies of the various devices are lacking, and to date little histologic or biologic evidence has been presented concerning scar remodeling after nonablative resurfacing. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacies and safeties of a 585-nm PDL and a 1064-nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of atrophic facial acne scarring.…”

“…7 Although ablative lasers, such as the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser, have been considered as ''gold'' standards for skin resurfacing, adverse effects, such as prolonged postoperative erythema, swelling, and even dyspigmentation, impede their widespread utilization, especially in patients with darker skin. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] In contrast, nonablative remodeling lasers, such as the 1320-nm or 1064-nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers (Nd:YAG) [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] and diode (1450 nm) [24][25][26] lasers, and the 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL), 27 can also reduce acne scarring without significant downtime, but at lower efficacies. Moreover, although the recently developed technique of fractional laser skin resurfacing has been reported to allow the recontouring of scars, 28,29 the risk of hyperpigmentation in patients with darker skin types often precludes sufficient treatment 30 ; thus nonablative scar resurfacing is still becoming more popular for acne scar reduction, especially in patients with darker skin.…”