Randomized clinical trial of CO₂ LASER pinpoint irradiation technique versus chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) in treating ice pick acne scars.

BACKGROUND: Pinpoint irradiation technique CO₂ LASER and Chemical Reconstruction Of Skin Scars (CROSS) are effective treatments for atrophic acne scars as fractional photothermolysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to prospectively compare the use of a pinpoint irradiation technique versus TCA CROSS in treating ice pick acne scars.

METHODS: Thirty-two patients with ice pick acne scars were included in this open, label pilot study. Pinpoint irradiation technique by CO₂ LASER and TCA CROSS were applied for the study and control group, respectively. Twenty-eight patients with ice pick acne scars were included in this open, label pilot study. They were randomly assigned to two groups: the first group (14 patients) received pinpoint irradiation by CO₂ LASER as a study group, and the second group (14 patients) received TCA CROSS as a control group. In both treatments, there were four sessions at 3-week interval, and 3 months of follow up.

RESULTS: There were statistically significant difference in acne scar severity index and qualitative scarring grading system in the improvement results between the study and control groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Pinpoint irradiation technique by CO₂ LASER is safe and more effective than TCA CROSS technique. Clinical improvement was achieved in all 14 patients without dramatic adverse effects.