Efficacy and safety of combined fractional carbon dioxide laser and topical timolol maleate 0.5% solution versus topical timolol maleate 0.5% solution alone in inflammatory facial acne; a randomized split face controlled study.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of combined fractional carbon dioxide laser and topical timolol maleate 0.5% solution versus topical timolol maleate 0.5% solution alone in inflammatory acne. Thirty adult patients with inflammatory facial acne were randomized in this study. The patients received 3 biweekly sessions of fractional CO2 laser on one side of the face followed by topical timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 0.5% once daily for 7 days on both sides. Outcome was evaluated 2 weeks after the first session, 2 weeks after the last session, and 1 month after the last session by lesion count, erythema, hyperpigmentation, qualitative global scarring grading, and patients' satisfaction. Side effects were also evaluated. Trial registration (IRB No. 417, 30/10/2023). At 2 weeks after the first session, there were insignificant differences between both sides regarding lesion count, erythema, hyperpigmentation, and qualitative global scarring grading (p value = 0.8, 0.05, 0.7, 0.1 respectively). At 2 weeks after the last session, the erythema on the combined side was reduced by a mean of 0.2 ± 0.4 SD compared to timolol only side with significant difference between both sides (p value = 0.03), while there were insignificant differences between both sides regarding lesion count, hyperpigmentation, qualitative global scarring grading, and patients' satisfaction (p value = 0.1, 0.5, 0.8, 0.3 respectively). Recurrence was detected at one month after the last session. No side effects were reported. Combined fractional CO2 laser and topical timolol maleate 0.5% solution were significantly more effective than topical timolol maleate 0.5% solution alone in reduction of erythema of inflammatory facial acne in adolescent men with Fitzpatrick's skin type III-IV at 2 weeks after 3 biweekly sessions with insignificant differences between both sides regarding lesion count, hyperpigmentation, qualitative global scarring grading, and patients' satisfaction. Further and larger studies are still needed.