RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: A fractional erbium-doped glass 1,550-nm and a fractional bipolar radiofrequency (RF) device are effective in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effectiveness and side effects of fractional bipolar RF with those of fractional erbium-doped glass in atrophic acne scars treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty Thai subjects with atrophic acne scars received three split-face monthly treatments, one side with fractional bipolar RF and the other with fractional erbium-doped glass. Three independent physicians and patients evaluated improvement in acne scars 4 weeks after the last treatment. Side effects were also recorded after each treatment. RESULTS: The study found significant improvement in acne scars after treatment with fractional bipolar RF and with a fractional erbium-doped glass device without a statistically significant difference between the two devices. The side effects of both devices were pain, transient facial erythema, and scab formation. The pain score with fractional erbium-doped glass was higher than that with fractional bipolar RF, but duration of scab shedding was shorter. One case had postinflammatory hyperpigmentation on only the side treated with fractional erbium-doped glass. CONCLUSION: Fractional bipolar RF and fractional erbium-doped glass have similar effectiveness for the treatment of atrophic acne scars.