Noninvasive Atrophic Acne Scar Treatment in Asians With a 755-nm Picosecond Laser Using A Diffractive Optic Lens-A Retrospective Photographic Review

BACKGROUND The diffractive lens of the picosecond laser is relatively new, and there are few reports on its efficacy in treating atrophic acne scars, especially in Asian populations. OBJECTIVE Evaluating the efficacy of diffractive lens 755-nm picosecond laser for atrophic acne scar treatment in Asians. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-two patients who were treated for facial atrophic acne scars at a private dermatological clinic were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. Mean session count was 4.28. Before and after photographs were assessed by 2 blinded dermatologists, who rated the amount of overall skin quality improvement on a 5-point scale. RESULTS All patients experienced improvements in scar texture and overall skin quality after 2 to 6 sessions, with scores of + 1.4, 1.45, 1.7, 1.33, 2.3, and 1.66 points after 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and >6 treatments, respectively. There were no obvious adverse effects after treatment. The postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) risk was 4.7% (2 of 42, both spontaneously resolved). CONCLUSION The 755-nm diffractive lens picosecond laser showed good efficacy and low PIH rates when treating atrophic acne scars in darker skin-type patients. In addition to treatment results, additional improvements in overall skin quality and pigmentation make the picosecond laser an effective and desirable treatment option for Asians.