Dual-Wavelength Laser Technology Demonstrates Promise in Atrophic Acne Scar Management

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A dual-wavelength laser technology combining irradiation at 10,600 nm and 1540 nm demonstrated improvement in patients with atrophic acne scars, according to a study recently published in Medicina.

Study investigators sought to explore the efficacy and post-treatment outcomes of this technology in atrophic acne scar management, noting the difficulty of atrophic scar treatment, the rise of laser therapies in scar healing, and the benefits of both ablative and non-ablative laser effects. Non-ablative lasers such as a CO₂ laser are capable of removing superficial layers and leading to visible exfoliation, while ablative lasers work without convalescence.

Patients involved in the study (n=4) were healthy volunteers between the ages of 24 and 53 years of age who had been recruited between December 2022 and March 2023. Patients had Fitzpatrick skin types I or II with atrophic acne scarring impacting the cheeks, forehead, and full face.

Individuals were excluded from participation if they had recently undergone exfoliation treatment or surgical procedures, were actively taking retinoids or anticoagulants during or shortly prior to treatment initiation, or who had recently experienced excessive ultraviolet exposure.

Prior to treatment, each patient was evaluated for edema and erythema on a 4-point scale, with a score of 1 being indicative of no edema/erythema and a score of 4 representative of severe edema/erythema. The same assessment was made at a follow-up visit 3 months after the last treatment session.

Each patient underwent between 2 and 4 treatment sessions using one pass per region of the face with a dual-wavelength laser system. Session frequency ranged from 45 to 90 days between treatments, and the number of treatments was determined based on scar lesion severity.

Edema was mild in all 4 patients, with 1 patient experiencing mild erythema and 3 patients experiencing moderate erythema. All patients were asked to complete patient assessments to evaluate their perspectives on treatment improvement; 2 patients reported excellent improvement, 1 patient reported good improvement, and 1 patient reported slight improvement.

Following laser therapy, investigators noted a significant decrease in the amount of atrophic acne scarring observed in patients, as well as a notable improvement in overall skin texture.

By employing the use of fibrin plugs during treatment, investigators were able to track the length of time it took for the plugs to expel. After an average of 5 days, the fibrin plugs had expelled, which investigators noted was indicative of an expedited and significant scar healing process.

Beyond the first 24 hours after treatment, no adverse effects were reported. Within those 24 hours after treatment, patients reported slight burning, edema, and erythema.

Potential study limitations, as noted by study authors, included the small sample size of patients involved and the short length of follow-up.

"Our preliminary clinical data demonstrate that this dual-wavelength laser technique achieved good results in the management of atrophic acne scars in all treated patients, resulting in faster scar healing after treatment," study authors wrote. "More importantly, this new technology improves the effectiveness of treatment while reducing patient downtime and associated recovery times. ...These promising results in the treatment of atrophic acne scars with this new dual-wavelength system need to be greatly corroborated by further investigations with a larger sample of patients and a longer follow-up."

Reference

Belletti S, Madeddu F, Amoruso GF, et al. An innovative dual-wavelength laser technique for atrophic acne scar management: A pilot study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023;59(11):2012. Published 2023 Nov 15. doi:10.3390/medicina59112012