Noninvasive Atrophic Acne Scar Treatment in Asians With a 755-nm Picosecond Laser Using A Diffractive Optic Lens-A Retrospective Photographic Review.

BACKGROUND: The diffractive lens of the picosecond laser is relatively new, and there are few reports on its efficacy in treating atrophic acne scars, especially in Asian populations.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the efficacy of diffractive lens 755-nm picosecond laser for atrophic acne scar treatment in Asians.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients who were treated for facial atrophic acne scars at a private dermatological clinic were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. Mean session count was 4.28. Before and after photographs were assessed by 2 blinded dermatologists, who rated the amount of overall skin quality improvement on a 5-point scale.

RESULTS: All patients experienced improvements in scar texture and overall skin quality after 2 to 6 sessions, with scores of +1.4, 1.45, 1.7, 1.33, 2.3, and 1.66 points after 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and >6 treatments, respectively. There were no obvious adverse effects after treatment. The postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) risk was 4.7% (2 of 42, both spontaneously resolved).

CONCLUSION: The 755-nm diffractive lens picosecond laser showed good efficacy and low PIH rates when treating atrophic acne scars in darker skin-type patients. In addition to treatment results, additional improvements in overall skin quality and pigmentation make the picosecond laser an effective and desirable treatment option for Asians.