A randomized controlled trial of fractional laser therapy and dermabrasion for scar resurfacing

BACKGROUND: Dermabrasion has been the standard resurfacing procedure for postsurgical scars, but recovery can be long. Fractionated carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser is a safe, effective tissue resurfacing modality, but no prospective trial has compared its safety or efficacy with that of dermabrasion for postsurgical scar resurfacing. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of single-treatment fractional photothermolysis with that of single-treatment dermabrasion for postsurgical scar resurfacing on the face. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A split-scar method was used to compare fractionated CO₂ laser and diamond fraise dermabrasion on postsurgical scars of the face. Primary endpoint was safety at day 0, 1 week, and 1 month. Secondary endpoint was efficacy at 3 months as measured by blinded evaluation of standardized photographs. RESULTS: Safety data revealed that there was less erythema (p = .001) and bleeding (p = .001) at day 0, less erythema (p = .01) and edema (p = .046) at 1 week, and a trend toward less erythema at 1 month (p = .06) with fractionated CO₂. Efficacy data at 3 months revealed equivalent scar improvements (p = .77). CONCLUSION: Fractionated CO₂ laser therapy should be considered a safe alternative for surgical scar resurfacing on the face. The safety profile exceeds that of dermabrasion, and it has a quicker clinical recovery and equivalent cosmetic efficacy.