Do combined alternating sessions of 1540 nm nonablative fractional laser and percutaneous collagen induction with trichloroacetic acid 20% show better results than each individual modality in the treatment of atrophic acne scars? A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: The Journal of dermatological treatment Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 137 - 141
• Main Authors: Leheta, Tahra M., Abdel Hay, Rania M., Hegazy, Rehab A., El Garem, Yehia F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oslo Informa Healthcare USA on behalf of Informa UK Ltd 01.04.2014; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: acne scars; Acne Vulgaris - complications; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cicatrix - etiology; Cicatrix - therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Cosmetic Techniques - instrumentation; Dermatologic Agents - administration & dosage; Dermatology; Female; fractional laser; Humans; Low-Level Light Therapy; Male; Medical sciences; percutaneous collagen induction; Single-Blind Method; Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects; Trichloroacetic Acid - administration & dosage; Young Adult; Trichloroacetic acid; Human; Skin disease; Induction; Acne; Scar; Result; Percutaneous route; Atrophy; Randomization; Treatment; acne scars; Laser; Clinical trial; fractional laser; Triggering; percutaneous collagen induction
• ISSN: 0954-6634; 1471-1753
• DOI: 10.3109/09546634.2012.698249

Background: There have been no well-controlled studies evaluating the efficacy of combining 1540 nm nonablative fractional laser with percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 20% in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. Objective: We hypothesized that combined alternating sessions of both modalities would show better results than each individual modality. Methods and materials: Thirty-nine patients with post acne atrophic scars were included in this study. Patients were randomly equally divided into three groups; group 1 was subjected to six sessions of PCI combined with TCA 20% in the same session, group 2 was subjected to six sessions of 1540 nm fractional laser and group 3 was subjected to combined alternating sessions of the previously mentioned two modalities. Results: Scar severity scores improved by a mean of 59.79% (95% CI 47.38-72.21) (p < 0.001) in group 1, a mean of 61.83% (95% CI 54.09-69.56) (p < 0.001) in group 2 and a mean of 78.27% (95% CI 74.39-82.15) (p < 0.001) in group 3. The difference in the degree of improvement was statistically significant when comparing the three groups using ANOVA test (p = 0.004). Conclusion: The current work recommends combining 1540 nm nonablative fractional laser in alternation with PCI and TCA 20% in the treatment of atrophic acne scars.