Dermabrasion of acne scarring using continuous fractional carbon dioxide laser versus heat dermabrasion using diathermy needle in patients with dark complexion
Keywords:
Acne scarring, Heat dermabrasion, CO2 laser, ReductionAbstract
Objective: The objective of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser compared with heat dermabrasion using diathermy needle in the treatment of different types of acne scars.
Methods: One hundred and forty patients with different types of acne scars were divided into two groups: Group A (CO2 laser): Forty patients, 30 (75%) females and 10 (25%) males were treated with one session of CO2 dermabrasion using continuous fractional CO2 laser. Group B (heat dermabrasion): One hundred patients, 60 (60%) females and 40 (40%) males were treated with one session of heat dermabrasion using diathermy needle. Scoring was done during follow-up period to assess the reduction in the scars.
Results: Group A (CO2) laser: Severity of scars: mild in 10 (25%) cases, moderate in 20 (50%), and severe in 10 (25%). Reduction rate: 4 weeks post CO2 laser session; the reduction was moderate (5%), marked (90%) and excellent (5%). Group B (heat dermabrasion): Severity of scars: mild in 23 (23%) patients, moderate in 49 (49%), and severe in 28 (28%). Reduction rate: 4 weeks post heat dermabrasion session, the reduction rates were moderate (5%), marked (52%) and excellent (43%).
Conclusion: Overall, while both heat dermabrasion and CO2 laser are effective in reducing scar severity, single session of heat dermabrasion may offer superior outcomes in terms of achieving higher levels of scar reduction with minimal side effects.
References
1. Tan JK, Bhate K. A global perspective on the epidemiology of acne. Br J Dermatol. 2015;172:3-12.
2. Williams HC, Dellavalle RP, Garner S. Acne vulgaris. Lancet. 2012;379:361-72.
3. Jacob CI, Dover JS, Kaminer MS. Acne scarring: a classification system and review of treatment options. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001; 45:109-17.
4. Goodman GJ. Management of post-acne scarring: What are the options for treatment? Am J Clin Dermatol. 2000;1:3-17.
5. Al-Waiz MM, Al-Sharquie AI. Medium depth chemical peels in treatment of acne scars in dark-skinned individuals. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28:1-5.
6. Campbell RM, Harmon CB. Dermabrasion in our practice. J Drugs Dermatol. 2008;7:124-8.
7. Hantash BM, Bedi VP, Sudireddy V, Struck SK, Herron GS, Chan KF. Laser-induced transepidermal elimination of dermal content by fractional photothermolysis. J Biomed Opt. 2006;11:041115.
8. Goel A, Krupashankar DS, Aurangabadkar S, Nischal KC, Omprakash HM, Mysore V. Fractional lasers in dermatology- Current status and recommendations. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2011;77:369-79.
9. Manstein D, Herron GS, Sink RK, Tanner H, Anderson RR. Fractional photothermolysis: A new concept for cutaneous remodeling using microscopic patterns of thermal injury. Lasers Surg Med. 2004;34:426-38.
10. Sharquie KE. Heat dermabrasion of different types of scars. IMCAS 2018. http://www.imcas.com.
11. Sharquie KE. Pearls in skin surgery and cosmetology 2019 28th EADV Madrid.eadvprogram.m-anage.com en-GB.
12. Sharquie KE, Al-Jaralla FA. Volumeplasty of bulky nose using heat dermabrasion as a minor therapy. Am J Dermatol Res Rev. 2020;3:18.
13. Sharquie KE, Jabbar RI. Heat dermabrasion with needle diathermy combined with 35% TCA peeling as an innovative therapy for acne scarring in patients with a dark complexion. Our Dermatol Online J. 2021;12(3):230-7.
14. Sharquie KE, Jabbar RI. Heat dermabrasion as an effective innovative technique for treatment of different types of scars. J Pak Assoc Dermatol. 2021;31(3):429-35
15. Sharquie KE, Jabbar RI. Innovative cosmetic therapy of wrinkles by heat dermabrasion with longstanding outcomes. J Turk Acad Dermatol. 2021;15(1):19-23.
16. Sharquie KE, Jabbar RI. Therapy of common acquired melanocytic nevi by shaving followed by touch with diathermy. J Appl Cosmetol. 202;38(2):13/20.
17. Sharquie K, Jabbar RI. Heat dermabrasion of congenital nevi as a simple, innovative technique. Our Dermatol Online J. 2021;12(3):262-6.
18. Sharquie KE, Al-Hamdi KI, Noaimi AA, Al-Battat RA. Scarring and none scarring facial acne vulgaris and the frequency of associated skin diseases. Iraqi Postgrad Med J. 2009;8:332-8.
19. Al-Dhalimi MA, Arnoos AA. Subcision for treatment of rolling acne scars in Iraqi patients: A clinical study. J Cosm Dermatol. 2012;11:144-50.
20. Khan S, Ghafoor R, Kaleen S. Efficacy of saline injection therapy for atrophic acne scars. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2020;30:359-63.
21. Sharquie KE, Noaimi AA, Al-Janabi EA. Treatment of active acne vulgaris by chemical peeling using TCA 35%. J Cosm Dermatol Sci Appl. 2013;3:32-5.
22. Sharquie KE, Noaimi AA, Al-Janabi EA. Treatment of active acne vulgaris by chemical peeling using 88% lactic acid. Our Dermatol Online J. 2014;5:337-42.
23. Lee JB, Chung WG, Kwahck H, Lee KH. Focal treatment of acne scars with trichloroacetic acid: chemical reconstruc- tion of skin scars method. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28:1017-21.
24. Savardekar P. Microdermabrasion. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2007;73:277–9.
25. Orentreich D, Orentreich N. Acne scar revision update. Dermatol Clin. 1987;5:359–68.
26. Mokhtari F, Safavi Z, Faghihi G, Asilian A, Shahmoradi Z. A Comparative study on the usefulness of fractional CO2 and fractional Er:YAG in Acne Scars: A split-face trial. Adv Biomed Res. 2023;12(1):90.
27. Kromayer E. Rotational instruments as a new tool in dermatologic surgery. Chir Dermatol Ztschr. 1905;12:26.
28. Kleinerman R, ArmstrongAW ,IbrahimiOA, KingTH, Eisen DB. Electrobrasion vs.manual dermabrasion: A randomized, double-blind, comparative effectiveness trial. Br J Dermatol. 2014;171:124-9.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Pakistan Journal of Medical and Surgical Aesthetics
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Submission declaration
Authors retain the copyright to their work and grant the 'Pakistan Journal of Medical and Surgical Aesthetics (PJMSA)' the right of first publication under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. This license allows others to share, adapt, and reuse the work for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as appropriate credit is given to the original authors and the journal.
By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that the work has not been published previously (except as an abstract, lecture, or academic thesis), is not under review elsewhere, and has been approved by all authors and relevant authorities. Once accepted, the article will be openly accessible under the CC BY 4.0 license, ensuring wide dissemination and reuse with proper attribution.
