Femtosecond laser-assisted astigmatic keratotomy versus toric IOL implantation for correcting astigmatism in cataract patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

AIMS: To compare the refractive and visual outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted astigmatic keratotomy (FSAK) and toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for correcting astigmatism in cataract patients. METHODS: Studies were retrieved from the Ovid-Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Scopus which compared FSAK and toric IOL for astigmatism correction in cataract patients. Outcome measures included postoperative refractive cylinder, correction index, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), the proportion of patients achieving a residual refractive cylinder of 1.00 dioptre or less, target-induced astigmatism (TIA) and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA). The trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to collect firm evidence supporting our conclusion. RESULTS: 9 studies encompassing 590 participants were analysed. The meta-analysis revealed that toric IOLs could result in less postoperative refractive cylinder and provide better UDVA compared with FSAK. The TSA disclosed strong evidence of lower postoperative refractive cylinder in the toric IOL group compared with that of the FSAK group. FSAK showed a smaller correction index and lower mean TIA and SIA compared with toric IOLs. CONCLUSIONS: For cataract patients, both FSAK and toric IOLs are effective methods for correcting astigmatism. However, toric IOLs offer less postoperative astigmatism and result in better postoperative UDVA compared with FSAK. In vector analysis of astigmatism, toric IOLs can also produce higher TIA and SIA. Additionally, neither method is associated with severe untreatable complications. Therefore, the conclusion is that toric IOLs are the preferred choice for astigmatism correction in cataract patients and FSAK serves as a viable alternative when toric IOLs are contraindicated.

The Pixel Anomaly Detection Tool: a user-friendly GUI for classifying detector frames using machine-learning approaches.

Data collection at X-ray free electron lasers has particular experimental challenges, such as continuous sample delivery or the use of novel ultrafast high-dynamic-range gain-switching X-ray detectors. This can result in a multitude of data artefacts, which can be detrimental to accurately determining structure-factor amplitudes for serial crystallography or single-particle imaging experiments. Here, a new data-classification tool is reported that offers a variety of machine-learning algorithms to sort data trained either on manual data sorting by the user or by profile fitting the intensity distribution on the detector based on the experiment. This is integrated into an easy-to-use graphical user interface, specifically designed to support the detectors, file formats and software available at most X-ray free electron laser facilities. The highly modular design makes the tool easily expandable to comply with other X-ray sources and detectors, and the supervised learning approach enables even the novice user to sort data containing unwanted artefacts or perform routine data-analysis tasks such as hit finding during an experiment, without needing to write code.

A workflow for single-particle structure determination via iterative phasing of rotational invariants in fluctuation X-ray scattering.

Fluctuation X-ray scattering (FXS) offers a complementary approach for nano- and bioparticle imaging with an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL), by extracting structural information from correlations in scattered XFEL pulses. Here a workflow is presented for single-particle structure determination using FXS. The workflow includes procedures for extracting the rotational invariants from FXS patterns, performing structure reconstructions via iterative phasing of the invariants, and aligning and averaging multiple reconstructions. The reconstruction pipeline is implemented in the open-source software xFrame and its functionality is demonstrated on several simulated structures.

Combining platelet rich plasma with ablative laser for post acne scars: A review.

Background Acne scars are one of the most common sequelae of inflammatory acne. It commonly affects adolescents and young adults and hence is associated with significant psychological morbidity. It is historically resistant to oral as well as surgical modalities. In the last two decades, ablative lasers (fractional or otherwise) have proven to be effective in management of acne scars. Some studies have proven the efficacy of platelet rich plasma in reducing the adverse effects and improving the efficacy of lasers. Objective Review of the studies combining platelet rich plasma with ablative laser for post acne scars. Methods A literature review of the MEDLINE database for studies evaluating the combination of ablative lasers with platelet rich plasma was performed. Only studies with higher levels of evidence (randomised controlled trials and comparative studies) were included in this review. Results Adding intradermal platelet rich plasma to fractional ablative lasers in the management of post acne scars increases clinical efficacy, reduces downtime as well as frequency and duration of ablative lasers related adverse effects. The efficacy of topical platelet rich plasma is less as compared to intradermal platelet rich plasma. Limitations The studies analysed are heterogeneous in nature with varied protocols and duration of follow up. Conclusions It is recommended to combine the ablative lasers with intradermal platelet rich plasma for better clinical response and reduce adverse effects as well as downtime.

Incidence and analysis of intraoperative complications in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery: a large-scale cohort study to establish the learning curve.

AIMS: To assess the safety of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) based on surgical parameters and intraoperative complications analysis and to determine the length of the learning curve for FLACS. METHODS: A prospective consecutive cohort study was conducted on Chinese patients who underwent either FLACS (3289 cases) or contemporaneous conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery (2130 cases). The laser group was divided into four subgroups in chronological order. We recorded intraoperative complication incidences and compared with surgical parameters between groups. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore the learning curve of FLACS. RESULTS: The laser group had a 4.93% incidence of incomplete capsulotomies and a 1.22% incidence of anterior capsule tears. Subgroup analysis showed significant differences in 8 aspects between the first 250 cases (50 cases per surgeon) and the last 2539 cases, but only 2 aspects differed between the second 250 cases (50 cases per surgeon) and the last 2539 cases. There were no significant differences between the third 250 cases (50 cases per surgeon) and the last 2539 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperative complications of FLACS were reported, and the learning curve is associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of intraoperative complications. The length of the basic learning curve of FLACS is 100 cases, and the length of the advanced learning curve was 150 cases. This study demonstrated that FLACS is characterised by a relatively straightforward and secure operative technique.

X-ray beam diagnostics at the MID instrument of the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility.

The Materials Imaging and Dynamics (MID) instrument at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility (EuXFEL) is equipped with a multipurpose diagnostic end-station (DES) at the end of the instrument. The imager unit in DES is a key tool for aligning the beam to a standard trajectory and for adjusting optical elements such as focusing lenses or the split-and-delay line. Furthermore, the DES features a bent-diamond-crystal spectrometer to disperse the spectrum of the direct beam to a line detector. This enables pulse-resolved characterization of the EuXFEL spectrum to provide X-ray energy calibration, and the spectrometer is particularly useful in commissioning special modes of the accelerator. Together with diamond-based intensity monitors, the imager and spectrometer form the DES unit which also contains a heavy-duty beamstop at the end of the MID instrument. Here, we describe the setup in detail and provide exemplary beam diagnostic results.

Spontaneous resolution of eruptive papules following ablative laser resurfacing-Case report and review of laser-associated eruptive keratoacanthomas.

BACKGROUND: Keratoacanthomas (KAs) following laser treatment are a rare, but well-described entity. AIM: Herein, we describe a case of eruptive keratoacanthoma (KA) following laser resurfacing treatment and aim to better characterize laser-associated KAs. METHODS: A literature search was performed on PubMed reviewing laser-associated KAs including various characteristics: epidemiology, history of skin cancer, location, and number, type of laser, as well as the management and outcome. RESULTS: Fractional ablative was the most common type of laser triggering KAs, and most cases presented within the first month following treatment. The majority of cases of laser-induced KA had a prior history of a malignant or premalignant skin neoplasm. Laser-induced KAs were treated using modalities similar to KAs arising in other contexts. CONCLUSION: Clinicians need to be knowledgeable and prepared to understand, and manage complications following laser treatments, as rare as they may be, including KAs.

Near-Infrared II Photobiomodulation Preconditioning Ameliorates Stroke Injury via Phosphorylation of eNOS.

BACKGROUND: The current management of patients with stroke with intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy is effective only when it is timely performed on an appropriately selected but minor fraction of patients. The development of novel adjunctive therapy is highly desired to reduce morbidity and mortality with stroke. Since endothelial dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of stroke and is featured with suppressed endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) with concomitant nitric oxide deficiency, restoring endothelial nitric oxide represents a promising approach to treating stroke injury. METHODS: This is a preclinical proof-of-concept study to determine the therapeutic effect of transcranial treatment with a low-power near-infrared laser in a mouse model of ischemic stroke. The laser treatment was performed before the middle cerebral artery occlusion with a filament. To determine the involvement of eNOS phosphorylation, unphosphorylatable eNOS S1176A knock-in mice were used. Each measurement was analyzed by a 2-way ANOVA to assess the effect of the treatment on cerebral blood flow with laser Doppler flowmetry, eNOS phosphorylation by immunoblot analysis, and stroke outcomes by infarct volumes and neurological deficits. RESULTS: Pretreatment with a 1064-nm laser at an irradiance of 50 mW/cm2 improved cerebral blood flow, eNOS phosphorylation, and stroke outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Near-infrared II photobiomodulation could offer a noninvasive and low-risk adjunctive therapy for stroke injury. This new modality using a physical parameter merits further consideration to develop innovative therapies to prevent and treat a wide array of cardiovascular diseases.

Effect of laser corticotomy on canine retraction rate: a split-mouth randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the effect of corticotomy with Er: YAG (erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) laser on the rate of canine retraction. METHODS: This randomized split-mouth controlled clinical trial was conducted on 12 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with extraction of maxillary first premolars. Following initial leveling and alignment, an alginate impression was made from the maxillary arch, and Er: YAG laser corticotomy was performed in one of the maxillary quadrants of each patient. Canine retraction was started immediately after corticotomy by placement of nickel-titanium (NiTi) closed coil springs at both sides. At the end of each month, alginate records were repeated for 4 months. Study models were scanned, and the anteroposterior movement of canine was quantified bilaterally. Pain was also measured by a visual analog scale (VAS). Probing depth (PPD) of canines and two adjacent teeth was also evaluated and pulp vitality was assessed by performing the cold test. Data were analyzed by paired and independent t-test and one-way ANOVA (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The rate of canine retraction was significantly greater in the laser-assisted corticotomy quadrant than the control (P < 0.05). No significant difference existed in posterior anchorage loss, canine rotation angle, PPD, pulp vitality, or pain score between two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Flapless Er: YAG laser corticotomy significantly enhanced canine retraction rate with no adverse effect on other parameters.

Advancements in Laser Therapies for Dermal Hyperpigmentation in Skin of Color: A Comprehensive Literature Review and Experience of Sequential Laser Treatments in a Cohort of 122 Indian Patients.

The heightened awareness of ethnic dermatology aligns with the growing prevalence of skin of color communities globally, where hyperpigmentation disorders pose a common dermatological challenge. Effectively addressing dermal pigmentation is challenging due to its resistance to conventional therapies and its association with impaired quality of life. This underscores the need for effective treatments and a thorough grasp of laser advancements. A relevant literature search spanning the last 7 years across the PubMed database reveals core studies, challenges, and the evolution of laser technologies tailored for various forms of congenital and acquired dermal hyperpigmentation in skin of color. This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms, applications, and recommendations for pigmentary laser technologies, highlighting the key role of Q-switched lasers in their established millisecond/ nanosecond forms and emerging picosecond lasers, fractional non-ablative and ablative lasers, Intense Pulsed Light, etc. The summary of evidence includes studies on dermal melanocytosis (nevus of Ota and Hori's nevus), tattoos, acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation, etc., and also entities with mixed epidermal-dermal components, such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The review offers valuable insights for clinicians to make informed decisions based on diagnosis, skin type, and the latest technologies to optimize results and minimize complications, especially in darker Fitzpatrick skin types. In their five-year study with 122 Indian patients, the authors applied specific laser combinations for diverse dermal melanoses, including tattoos, dermal/mixed melasma, acquired dermal macular hyperpigmentation, and dermal nevi. Substantial pigmentation reduction, subjectively assessed by both physicians and patients, was observed across all groups. A one-way ANOVA indicated a significant difference in mean improvement scores across various pigmentary conditions (F = 3.39, p = 0.02), with melasma patients exhibiting a significantly higher improvement score than tattoos (p = 0.03). The results affirmed the safety and efficacy of sequential laser therapy for dermal pigmentation in skin of color, advocating for flexibility in approach while maintaining the rationale behind the laser sequences. Despite advancements, challenges persist, and gaps in the current literature are identified. In conclusion, this summary highlights the ongoing pursuit of optimal protocols in dermatological laser treatments for dermal melanoses, offering valuable insights for future research and clinical practice.

Advances in Semiconductor Lasers Based on Parity-Time Symmetry.

Semiconductor lasers, characterized by their high efficiency, small size, low weight, rich wavelength options, and direct electrical drive, have found widespread application in many fields, including military defense, medical aesthetics, industrial processing, and aerospace. The mode characteristics of lasers directly affect their output performance, including output power, beam quality, and spectral linewidth. Therefore, semiconductor lasers with high output power and beam quality are at the forefront of international research in semiconductor laser science. The novel parity-time (PT) symmetry mode-control method provides the ability to selectively modulate longitudinal modes to improve the spectral characteristics of lasers. Recently, it has gathered much attention for transverse modulation, enabling the output of fundamental transverse modes and improving the beam quality of lasers. This study begins with the basic principles of PT symmetry and provides a detailed introduction to the technical solutions and recent developments in single-mode semiconductor lasers based on PT symmetry. We categorize the different modulation methods, analyze their structures, and highlight their performance characteristics. Finally, this paper summarizes the research progress in PT-symmetric lasers and provides prospects for future development.

Efficacy and safety of first-line or second-line selective laser trabeculoplasty for normal-tension glaucoma: a multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of first-line and second-line selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in Japanese patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: 100 patients with NTG were enrolled in this study. Patients were treated with SLT as a first-line or second-line treatment for NTG. Main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction rate, outflow pressure improvement rate (ΔOP), success rate at 1 year and complications. Success was defined as ΔOP≥20% (criterion A) or an IOP reduction ≥20% (criterion B) without additional IOP-lowering eye-drops, repeat SLT or additional glaucoma surgeries. The incidence of transient IOP spike (>5 mm Hg from the pretreatment IOP), conjunctival hyperaemia, inflammation in the anterior chamber and visual impairment due to SLT were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients (99 eyes) were initially enrolled in this study, including 74 eyes assigned to the first-line SLT group and 25 eyes to the second-line SLT group. The mean IOP of 16.3±2.1 mm Hg before SLT decreased by 17.1%±9.5% to 13.4±1.9 mm Hg at 12 months after SLT in the first-line group (p<0.001), and the mean IOP of 15.4±1.5 mm Hg before SLT decreased by 12.7%±9.7% to 13.2±2.0 mm Hg at 12 months after SLT (p=0.005) in the second-line group. Both groups showed significant reductions in IOP. Higher pre-SLT IOP and thinner central corneal thickness were associated with greater IOP reduction. The success rate at 1 year was higher in the first-line compared with the second-line group, with lower pretreatment IOP and the use of IOP-lowering medication before SLT being associated with treatment failure. Most post-treatment complications were minor and transient. CONCLUSIONS: SLT may be an effective and safe treatment option for NTG, as either a first-line or second-line treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The study was registered in the UMIN-CTR (UMIN Test ID: UMIN R000044059).

Clinical and ex-vivo effect of LASERs on prevention of early-enamel caries: systematic review & meta-analyses.

To investigate the in vivo and in situ effect of different types of lasers in prevention of enamel demineralization in high caries risk cases (around orthodontic brackets, around restoration and in caries susceptible pits and fissures). PubMed was searched using the following keyword sequence; (Laser therapy OR laser irradiation OR laser application) AND (enamel caries prevention OR enamel demineralization OR enamel remineralization OR early enamel caries OR early-enamel caries OR enamel resistance OR enamel decalcification OR white spot lesions WSLs OR incipient lesion OR enamel decay OR enamel Dissolution OR enamel microhardness) AND (clinical trial OR Randomized clinical trial OR In situ study). The latest literature search was ended by "30 January 2023". PubMed was used as a primary data base for study selection. Scopus, EBSCO, and Google scholar are checked in our study after results of systematic search on PubMed. Only duplicates were found. Two meta-analyses were carried out. The first, clinical meta-analysis on incidence of white spot lesions (WSLs) following CO2 laser irradiation of enamel. The second meta-analysis on ex-vivo/in situ effect of CO2 laser on microhardness of enamel. In each meta-analysis three studies were included. Risk of bias was assessed. The search identified eight studies (four ex-vivo and four clinical trials). Regarding the clinical meta-analysis, the overall standardized mean difference was 0.21 [ 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.15-0.30, p < 0.00001]. This indicates that the incidence of new WSLs in patients who received low power CO2 laser treatment was highly significantly lower than placebo groups. The heterogeneity was considerable (I2 = 71%). In the second meta-analysis, the overall standardized mean difference was 49.55 [ 95% confidence interval (CI): 37.74, 61.37, p < 0.00001]. This indicates that microhardness of enamel receiving low power (0.4-5 W) CO2 laser irradiation is highly significantly lower than control untreated enamel. The heterogeneity was substantial (I2 = 48%). Within the limitations of this study, Low level laser therapy concept with CO2 laser seems to be effective in preventing enamel caries.Prospero registration number: CRD42023437379.

A Gold Needle Tip Array Ultrafast Electron Source with High Beam Quality.

Electron sources are crucial elements in diverse applications such as electron microscopes, synchrotrons, and free-electron lasers. Nanometer-sharp needle tips are electron emitters with the highest beam quality, yet for a single needle the current is limited. Combining the emission of multiple needles promises large current yields while preserving the individual emitters' favorable properties. We present an ultrafast electron source consisting of a lithographically fabricated array of sharp gold tips illuminated with 25 fs laser pulses. The source provides up to 2000 electrons per pulse for moderate laser peak intensities of 1011 W/cm2 and a narrow energy width of 0.5 ± 0.05 eV at low current. The electron beam has a well-behaved Gaussian profile and is highly collimated, yielding a small normalized emittance on the order of nm·rad. These properties are well suited for applications requiring both high current and spatial resolution, such as free-electron light sources and chip-based particle accelerators.

Dirac Cones and Room Temperature Polariton Lasing Evidenced in an Organic Honeycomb Lattice.

Artificial 1D and 2D lattices have emerged as a powerful platform for the emulation of lattice Hamiltonians, the fundamental study of collective many-body effects, and phenomena arising from non-trivial topology. Exciton-polaritons, bosonic part-light and part-matter quasiparticles, combine pronounced nonlinearities with the possibility of on-chip implementation. In this context, organic semiconductors embedded in microcavities have proven to be versatile candidates to study nonlinear many-body physics and bosonic condensation, and in contrast to most inorganic systems, they allow the use at ambient conditions since they host ultra-stable Frenkel excitons. A well-controlled, high-quality optical lattice is implemented that accommodates light-matter quasiparticles. The realized polariton graphene presents with excellent cavity quality factors, showing distinct signatures of Dirac cone and flatband dispersions as well as polariton lasing at room temperature. This is realized by filling coupled dielectric microcavities with the fluorescent protein mCherry. The emergence of a coherent polariton condensate at ambient conditions are demonstrated, taking advantage of coupling conditions as precise and controllable as in state-of-the-art inorganic semiconductor-based systems, without the limitations of e.g. lattice matching in epitaxial growth. This progress allows straightforward extension to more complex systems, such as the study of topological phenomena in 2D lattices including topological lasers and non-Hermitian optics.

In Vitro Photobiomodulation Effects of Blue and Red Diode Lasers on Proliferation and Differentiation of Periodontal Ligament Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the photobiomodulation effects of blue and red lasers on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (PDLMSCs). Methods: PDLMSCs were cultured and tested in 4 groups. The first two groups were exposed to 445 nm diode laser irradiation (200 mW, 6 and 12 J/cm2 ), and the third group was exposed to 660 nm diode laser irradiation (50 mW, 4 J/cm2 ). The fourth group was also considered as the control group without irradiation. Cell viability/proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type 1 (col1), and osteocalcin (OCN) were evaluated by RT-PCR, and Alizarin red was used to evaluate the colonization. The data were analyzed by means of one-way analysis of variance. Results: The results of our study showed that cell survival/proliferation in the second group was significantly lower than that in the control group on days 1 and 7 (P<0.05). RT-PCR showed a significant increase in osteogenic genes in all three laser groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). All groups showed a significant increase in calcium content compared to the control group (P<0.05). ALP activity also confirmed the osteoblastic differentiation of cells in laser groups. Conclusion: 445 nm and 660 nm lasers with the studied parameters showed positive effects on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of PDLMSCs.

The Effect of Lasers on the Healing of Periapical Lesion: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Endodontic treatment of teeth with periapical lesions presents more clinical difficulty. Various lasers in several methods are used in endodontics, and most of them are utilized as an adjunctive protocol in order to reduce the bacterial load of the root canal system. Improved disinfection plays a crucial role in enhanced and accelerated healing of periapical lesions. This review aims to summarize studies assessing the effect of lasers on periapical lesion healing. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science (ISI) online databases were searched, with no publication year or status restriction, for relevant articles on April 2023. Clinical studies evaluating the effect of laser application on the periapical lesion of patients using radiographic assessment were considered eligible for inclusion. Results: Eight studies were included after carefully screening the obtained articles, first by their title and abstract and then by their full texts. Diode (4), Er, Cr: YSGG (3), and Nd: YAG (1) lasers were used with output powers that varied from 0.75 to 2 watts. Photodynamic therapy was employed in two studies, and in other studies, the root canal system was directly irradiated. Irradiation of the root canal system was adjunctive to standard preparation in all studies. The healing of the teeth treated with lasers was not inferior to those conventionally treated. In all of the included studies, laser application outperformed the standard cleaning and shaping protocol; however, this improved or faster healing was not statistically significant in most studies. Conclusion: Lasers might expedite and improve the healing process of periapical lesions. Since lasers enhance the quality of cleaning of the root canal system, it is hard to point out the exact mechanism of it. Further investigations are needed to realize the effectiveness of this treatment modality and to discover the underlying biological concepts.

Betamethasone transdermal administration combined with fractional Er:YAG lasers or microplasma radiofrequency technology improved hypertrophic scars: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aims to compare the efficacy rates in treating hypertrophic scars among four distinct groups of patients who either underwent fractional Erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser or microplasma radiofrequency technology as standalone treatments or in combination with compound betamethasone transdermal administration. METHOD: The study retrospectively examined 208 patients treated at our institution from April 2011 to December 2022 for hypertrophic scars, receiving no less than three treatments (with an interval of 8 weeks between each). The patients were categorized into four groups: the F group (treated with fractional Er:YAG laser), the F + B group (treated with fractional Er:YAG laser combined with compound betamethasone transdermal administration), the P group (treated with microplasma radiofrequency technology), and the P + B group (treated with microplasma radiofrequency technology combined with compound betamethasone transdermal administration). The therapeutic effects were evaluated based on the changes in the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) scores before and after treatment in these groups. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the VSS scores among the four groups before treatment. After undergoing three sessions of the aforementioned four types of treatment, all groups showed a decrease in VSS scores, with average posttreatment VSS scores for the F group scored 5.15 ± 2.084, F + B group scored 3.7 ± 1.781, P group scored 4.41 ± 1.933, and P + B group scored 3.16 ± 1.775, respectively. With an increasing number of treatments, the total effective rate gradually increased in all four groups, and the combination treatment using compound betamethasone transdermal administration proved more effective than the standalone treatment. CONCLUSION: All four treatments yielded favorable outcomes, with the combined therapy involving compound betamethasone transdermal administration proving more effective than the standalone treatments, meriting further clinical attention.

Resurfacing of atrophic facial acne scars with a multimodality CO2 and 1570 nm laser system.

BACKGROUND: Scarring is one of the most prevalent long-term complications of acne vulgaris and has cosmetic, psychological, and social burdens. Contemporary management programs integrate multiple modalities to best address the multiple factors underlying their development and persistence. This work assessed the impact of sequential multimodal laser therapy on acne scar geometrics and texture. METHODS: Adult patients (n = 16) with Fitzpatrick skin type II-IV and presenting with facial acne scars, underwent three combination ablative (CO2), and nonablative (1570 nm) laser treatment sessions at two-month intervals. Treatment was delivered using a ProScan Hybrid applicator, with each regimen including illumination with both ablative and a nonablative lasers applied in a grid mode sequence. Scar microtopography was assessed at baseline and 6 months after the last treatment session. RESULTS: At baseline, all patients had both box and rolling scars, while only three had icepick scars. Six months following treatment, mean scar volume improved from 5.7 ± 5.2 mm3 at baseline to 3.1 ± 3.0 mm3 and mean affected area improved from 165.6 ± 134.0 mm2 94.0 ± 80.1 mm2, translating to 47.0 ± 7.9% and 43.2 ± 8.6% reductions from baseline, respectively. Patients were highly satisfied with treatment outcomes, and no serious adverse reactions were documented during the course of treatment or follow-up. CONCLUSION: Multimodal CO2 and 1570-nm laser treatment improved the surface profilometry of patients with atrophic facial acne scars. Customization of both treatment intervals and laser settings to cosmetic regions, scar profiles and skin phototypes may further enhance treatment outcomes and expand its applicability to additional skin deformities.