A prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison of an ablative fractional 2940-nm erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser with a nonablative fractional 1550-nm erbium-doped glass laser for the treatment of photoaged Asian skin

摘要

Background: As compared with ablative fractional CO2 laser, ablative fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) laser is considered to be a more suitable treatment option for photoaged skin in Asians due to the lower incidence of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of ablative fractional Er: YAG laser (ablative fractional resurfacing [AFR]) and nonablative fractional 1550-nm Er: glass laser (non-AFR [NAFR]) in the treatment of photoaging. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded comparative study. In three sessions, at four-week intervals, 19 patients received Er: YAG AFR, and 15 patients received Er: glass NAFR. Pigmentation, uneven tone/erythema, wrinkles and overall features of photoaging were scored. Patient satisfaction, adverse effects and pain scores were recorded. Melanin and erythema indexes were measured. Results: Reductions in pigmentation and uneven tone/erythema scores were significantly greater after Er: YAG AFR, while wrinkle score reduction was significantly greater after Er: glass NAFR. Physician and patient assessments for the overall features showed greater improvement in the Er: glass NAFR. Treatment-related pain or adverse events were less in the Er: YAG AFR. Conclusion: Both Er: YAG AFR and Er: glass NAFR are effective and safe and could be used in a complementary manner for treating photoaged Asian skin.