FRACTIONAL PHOTOTHERMOLYSIS FOR THE TREATMENT OF POST-INFLAMMATORY ERYTHEMA RESULTING FROM ACNE VULGARIS
Adrienne S. Glaich,¹ Brenda Chrastil,² Leonard H. Goldberg,¹ Robin H. Friedman,³ Paul M. Friedman¹,²
¹DermSurgery Laser Center, Houston, TX, ²University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX, Memphis Dermatology Clinic, Memphis, TN³
|
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Acne scarring with post-inflammatory erythema are common sequelae of inflammatory acne vulgaris. Post-inflammatory erythema resulting from acne vulgaris is often persistent and difficult to treat. Recent reports have demonstrated clinical and histologic evidence of the potential benefit of fractional photothermolysis for the treatment of acne scarring and vascular lesions. This study evaluated fractional photothermolysis (Fraxel SR750 and Fraxel SR1500, Reliant Technologies Inc., Mountain View, CA) for the treatment of post-inflammatory erythema. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS
Five patients with Fitzpatrick skin types II - IV presented with acne scarring and post-inflammatory erythema of their face present for greater than one year. The affected areas were treated with a series of fractional photothermolysis at monthly intervals. RESULTS
Marked improvement of post-inflammatory erythema was noted after one to five treatments with fractional photothermolysis. All patients demonstrated continued improvement six months after their last treatment. |
CONCLUSIONS
This report demonstrates that fractional photothermolysis is a safe and effective treatment for post-inflammatory erythema resulting from acne vulgaris. The rapid improvement of the telangiectatic component of post-inflammatory erythema with fractional photothermolysis further underscores the potential benefit of this device for vascular lesions. 
Baseline After 3 Treatments 
Baseline After 5 Treatments 
Baseline After 5 Treatments 
Baseline After 6 Treatments |
Author conflict of interest: None
