Safety and Efficacy of 1550nm Fractional Laser Treatment for Acne Scars in Fitzpatrick Type IV-VI Skin

Henry Ford Health

Status

Completed

Conditions

Acne Scarring

Treatments

Procedure: Fractionated Laser Resurfacing

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00641420

HenryFord4447

Details and patient eligibility

About

Fractionated laser resurfacing is commonly used as a treatment for acne scarring in fair skinned individuals. This study aims to test the efficacy and safety in darker skin types. Patients are randomized to either the 10mJ 40mJ dosages and receive a total of five treatments at 17% one month apart. Improvement is judged by a dermatologist as 0-25%, 25-50%, 50-75% or 75-100%. Side effects such as pigmentary abnormalities and pain are also evaluated.

Full description

Background: Ablative resurfacing lasers are effective for treatment of acne scars, but they have a high risk of complications. Fractional lasers have less severe side effects but more moderate efficacy than ablative devices. Studies were performed in individuals with Fitzpatrick skin type I to VI.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of an erbium 1,550-nm fractional laser in the treatment of facial acne scars in Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-blind, randomized trial in patients with acne scars (n=15), skin type IV to VI, with a 1,550-nm erbium fractionated laser. Patients were divided into two groups; one was treated with 10 mJ and the other with 40 mJ. Five monthly laser sessions were performed. A patient questionnaire was distributed.

Enrollment

15 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 59 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Male or female voluntary patients between the ages of 18 and 59 with Fitzpatrick skin type IV-VI as verified by one of the investigators
Patients with clinical diagnosis of ice pick, rolling, or boxcar type ane scarring
Patients able to follow instructions
If patient has a history of cold sores (herpes labialis) they must be willing to take prophylactic valtrex
Written informed consent from the patients (Appendix II)

Exclusion criteria

Children (less than 18 years old)
Pregnant or lactating women
Personal history of keloids or hypertrophic scarring
Active acne requiring topical or oral therapy
Accutane or other oral retinoid in past year
Patients with a known allergy to lidocaine
Allergy to valacyclovir in a patient that needs prophylaxis
Patients with an unstable or non controlled underlying medical problem
Patients who are not able to follow instructions
Patients who have participated in a study within the 3 months prior to study entry
Patients who refuse to give written informed consent
Patients with a history of a pigmentary abnormality