TREATMENT OF POST-ACNE ATROPHIC SCARS WITH CO2 LASER VS COMBINED CO2 LASER AND RECOMBINANT ENZYME THERAPY

Abstract

The CO2 fractional laser is considered the Gold Standard for treating post-acne scars; however, it may have adverse effects such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or persistent erythema. For this reason, combined therapies with recombinant enzymes (hyaluronidase plus intralesional collagenase) are proposed, which would improve results, shorten the remodeling process and minimize adverse effects. The objective of the present work was to compare the effectiveness of the use of fractionated CO2 laser on post-acne scars vs. combined CO2 laser therapy plus recombinant enzymes. A case series study was developed in 15 patients, of which 8 were treated with combined therapy and 7 with fractionated CO2 laser monotherapy. 3 sessions of 4 weeks each were carried out. Photographic results evaluated by 3 expert doctors were compared, who determined the improvement with a simple scale. The study was carried out in the period November 2022 to March 2023, at Lahoud Skin Clinic, Chuao, Caracas, Venezuela. The results obtained suggest that the combination of CO2 laser plus recombinant enzymes after CO2 laser is a safe and effective alternative to obtain better results with a lower incidence of unwanted effects, being considered an excellent option to use in combination with the laser. Concluding that the fractionated CO2 laser generates an injury to the skin and the application of enzymes immediately afterwards allows the epidermis to regenerate and repair, minimizing side effects, improving satisfaction results vs. CO2 laser monotherapy.