Abstract

COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN CARBON DIOXIDE FRACTIONAL LASER AND CHEMICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF SKIN SCARS TECHNIQUE WITH 100% TRICHOLOROACETIC ACID IN THE TREATMENT OF ATROPHIC ACNE SCARS

*Rony Ibrahim Mohamed, Emad El Din El Gamal and Hany Othman Abo Al-Wafa

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous units, it is primarily seen in adolescents. Its onset coincides with the period of puberty and may add to the psychological challenges experienced during this period. Acne scars are a common complication of acne. They can be classified into atrophic and hypertrophic. The atrophic includes ice-picks, boxcar and rolling scars. Different treatment modalities have been used to treat them such as laser resurfacing, skin needling and chemical peeling. This study compares between CO2 fractional laser and Chemical reconstruction of skin scars technique (CROSS) with 100% trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of atrophic scars. This study enrolled 40 patients with atrophic scars of different types and severities. The patients were 28 females and 12 males. Their age ranged between 18-35 years old. They were subdivided into 2 groups each of 20 patients, Group A were treated by Carbon dioxide fractional laser while B were treated by CROSS technique. Each patient was subjected to 4 sessions at 4 weeks intervals. Patients’ results were assessed using digital photographs, qualitative global scarring grading system and patient’s satisfaction. Improvement of the scars was observed in 70.0% of Group A, while 85.0% of Group B were improved. 65.0% of Group A were satisfied while 85.0% of Group B were satisfied. The 2 modalities used in this study represent effective and safe treatment options for atrophic acne scars with no statistically significant difference between them.

Keywords: Acne scars, atrophic, puberty, dermatology, CO2 laser, CROSS.