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Evaluation of combining ultrapulse CO2 with fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of atrophic scars in Asians

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Abstract

Various treatment modalities have been applied to atrophic scars. Fractional CO2 laser treatment has attracted increasingly more attention because of its quicker recovery time and fewer side effects. However, its limitation of sculpting the edge is an urgent shortcoming. In order to achieve a more effective result with fewer complications, we have integrated ultrapulse CO2 and fractional CO2 lasers to for the treatment of facial atrophic scars. The study included 25 patients (10 males and 15 females) diagnosed with moderate to severe atrophic scars between August 2020 and July 2022. All subjects underwent the same surgical treatment. The effects were assessed at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months using photographic evidence. Objective evaluation of the results was conducted using a quartile grading scale, while the subjects’ satisfaction and any adverse events were also recorded. The patients in the study underwent more than two laser sessions (2–5), resulting in substantial improvement in their appearance. The time interval between each session was 3–6 months. The majority of the patients (19/25, 76%) had a significant or even excellent improvement. Any adverse events observed, such as erythema, superficial crusting, and PIH, were of a mild nature and temporary in duration. This treatment combined two CO2 lasers is an effective and safe choice for atrophic scars in Asians.

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Author notes

  1. Min-Xia Zhang and Xian Hu contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Qingchun East Road 3#, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, People’s Republic of China

    Min-Xia Zhang, Xian Hu, Yong Wang, Li Chen, Chun-Ye Chen, Fa-Wei Xu, Zi-Chun Gu & Wei-Qiang Tan

  2. Department of Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China

    Wei-Na Shao & Wei-Qiang Tan

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  1. Min-Xia Zhang
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  2. Xian Hu
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  4. Li Chen
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Correspondence to Wei-Qiang Tan.

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Zhang, MX., Hu, X., Wang, Y. et al. Evaluation of combining ultrapulse CO2 with fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of atrophic scars in Asians. Lasers Med Sci 39, 89 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-024-04012-3

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