A Preliminary Study of Utilization of the 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scarring

A Preliminary Study of Utilization of the 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scarring
July 2004
To cite this article: Neil S. Sadick MD, FACP, FAACS, Amy K. Schecter BS (2004)
A Preliminary Study of Utilization of the 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scarring
Dermatologic Surgery 30 (7), 995Ò1000.
doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30304.x

Neil S. Sadick, MD, FACP, FAACS*
*Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; and , and Amy K. Schecter, BSBrown Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Neil Sadick, MD, Sadick Aesthetic Surgery and Dermatology, PC, 772 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021, or e-mail: nssderm@sadickdermatology.com.
FUNDING FOR THIS RESEARCH WAS PROVIDED BY COOL TOUCH. THE LASERS USED IN THIS STUDY WERE ALSO PROVIDED AT A REDUCED PRICE. NIEL S. SADICK AND AMY K. SCHECTER HAVE CONTRIBUTED EQUALLY TO THIS ARTICLE.

Abstract
Background. Multiple treatment modalities have been used for the revision of acne scarring with varying degrees of success. Nonablative laser resurfacing has recently been shown to improve the appearance of atrophic acne scars.

Objective. The objective was to determine the efficacy of a 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of acne scars.

Methods. Eight patients with facial acne scars received six monthly treatments with a 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser with built-in cryogen cooling. Results were evaluated by objective and patient assessment using a 6-point improvement scale: 1=no improvement, 6=80% to 100% improvement.

Results. Acne scar improvement was statistically significant at both the 5-month and 1-year marks. Mean improvement by objective assessment was 3.9 points (p=0.002) at 5 months and 4.3 points (p=0.011) at 1 years. The mean acne scar improvement by patient assessment was 3.6 points (p=0.002) at 5 months.

Conclusion. The 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser with cryogen cooling significantly improves the appearance of acne scarring.

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