Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of a fractional picosecond 1064 nm laser for post-acne erythema in adult Chinese patients

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractional 1064 nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser (FPNYL) in the treatment of post-acne erythema (PAE) of adult Chinese. Materials and methodsA total of 22 patients received 1 session of treatment and were followed up at the eighth week. Primary outcomes were measured by the Clinician erythema assessment scale (CEAS). Secondary outcomes included a global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) and patients' assessment of satisfaction on a five-point scale. Pain scores and adverse effects were also evaluated. ResultsTwenty-two patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV were enrolled in the study and completed all treatments and follow-up visits. The mean CEAS scores fell from 2.74 +/- 0.80 to 1.95 +/- 0.75 (p < 0.05). The mean GAIS of PAE improvement was 2.46 +/- 0.68. Erythema percentile scores by VISIA increased from 32.63 +/- 7.0 to 45.75 +/- 11.45 (t = 5.442, p = 0). The patient satisfaction score was 1.86 +/- 1.17. The pain scores were 3.27 +/- 1.17 for the FPNYL treatment (varied from 2 to 6). There were moderate erythema and oedema, which last for 3.84 +/- 0.78 days. There were overall 68.18% (15/22) patients who felt pruritus in different degrees and 27.27% patients who encountered acne eruptions (white head type). No scar, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation was found. ConclusionTreatment with fractional 1064 nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser is effective and safe for PAE of Chinese patients.