Randomized clinical trial of CO₂ LASER pinpoint irradiation technique versus chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) in treating ice pick acne scars.

BACKGROUND

Pinpoint irradiation technique CO₂ LASER and Chemical Reconstruction Of Skin Scars (CROSS) are effective treatments for atrophic acne scars as fractional photothermolysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to prospectively compare the use of a pinpoint irradiation technique versus TCA CROSS in treating ice pick acne scars.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients with ice pick acne scars were included in this open, label pilot study. Pinpoint irradiation technique by CO₂ LASER and TCA CROSS were applied for the study and control group, respectively. Twenty-eight patients with ice pick acne scars were included in this open, label pilot study. They were randomly assigned to two groups: the first group (14 patients) received pinpoint irradiation by CO₂ LASER as a study group, and the second group (14 patients) received TCA CROSS as a control group. In both treatments, there were four sessions at 3-week interval, and 3 months of follow up.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant difference in acne scar severity index and qualitative scarring grading system in the improvement results between the study and control groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Pinpoint irradiation technique by CO₂ LASER is safe and more effective than TCA CROSS technique. Clinical improvement was achieved in all 14 patients without dramatic adverse effects.