Treatment of atrophic facial scars with combined use of high-energy pulsed CO2 laser and Er:YAG laser:: A practical guide of the laser techniques for Er:YAG laser

BACKGROUND. Although CO2 laser resurfacing provides substantial clinical improvement for atrophic facial scars, the CO2 laser often results in excessive thermal damage to the skin. It increases complications postoperatively. The Er:YAG laser ablates thinner layers of tissue than the CO2 laser with minimal thermal damage to the surrounding skin. OBJECTIVE. To determine the efficacy of combined treatment of atrophic facial scars with high-energy pulsed CO2 laser and Er:YAG laser. METHODS. One hundred fifty-eight patients were treated with a combination of high-energy pulsed CO2 laser and Er:YAG laser for atrophic facial scars. All patients were evaluated after 3 months of treatment. RESULTS. The scars improved 80-59% in 65 patients, 70-79% in 56 patients, more than 90% in 32 patients, 60-63% in 2 patients, and less than 60% in 3 patients after laser treatment. CONCLUSION. Treatment of atrophic facial scars with combined use of high-energy pulsed CO2 laser and Er:YAG laser is a very effective and useful method.