The Use of a Fractional Laser in Acne Scar Treatment—A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Acne scars are an unwanted reminder of past acne. They constitute a significant esthetic and psychosocial problem, negatively affecting the quality of life of patients. There are many methods used to treat acne scars. One of them is fractional CO2 laser treatment, which stimulates the skin to produce collagen. The main aim of this study was to verify, based on the available literature, the effectiveness of fractional CO2 laser treatment of acne scars and to determine the potential risk associated with the use of this therapeutic method. Methods: The literature review includes English-language articles selected using keywords and inclusion and exclusion criteria. In order to select appropriate sources, databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar were searched. Results: The systematic review included seven studies that assessed the effectiveness of fractional CO2 laser therapy for acne scars. Most patients experienced a 30% to 70% improvement in the appearance of their scars. The most commonly reported adverse events during treatment were transient erythema, edema, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which resolved within a few weeks. Conclusions: Fractional CO2 laser therapy is an effective and safe treatment for acne scars. However, despite the abundance of evidence, there is a need for further studies focusing on long-term monitoring of patients.