Acne.org ProductsThe charts below show the chances of developing various side effects from the non-ablative non-fractional laser treatment. For some side effects, we currently do not have enough data to provide a percentage.4,5
Certain/Likely Side Effects
| SHORT TERM Limited skin redness (erythema) | incidence not known |
| SHORT TERM Swelling (edema) | incidence not known |
| SHORT TERM Pain | incidence not known |
| SHORT TERM Flaking/skin peeling | incidence not known |
| SHORT TERM Burning sensation | incidence not known |
Possible/Rare Side Effects
| SHORT TERM Blister formation | up to 6.3% |
| SHORT TERM Infection | incidence not known |
One study has looked at the side effects of treatment with non-ablative non-fractional lasers.
- Study 1:
- Authors: Bhatia et al.4
- Total # of patients: 16
- # of female patients: (not reported)
- # of male patients: (not reported)
- Age of patients: Average: 42
- Laser type: Nd:YAG laser
- Laser settings: 10 mm spot size, 18-20 J/cm2
- Duration of treatment and follow-up: 6 treatments, follow-up at 3-12 months
- Side effects: Blister formation: 6.3%
Study 1: In a study published in 2006 in the journal Dermatologic Surgery, Bhatia and colleagues treated 16 patients with acne scarring with a 1,320-nm Nd:YAG laser. Patients received 6 treatments at intervals of 1 month and were interviewed sometime between 3 and 12 months after treatment to discuss side effects. One patient reported a transient blister that developed after one of the treatment sessions and later healed without leaving a scar.4
Systematic review: In a systematic review published in 2020 in the journal Lasers in Medicinal Science Modena and colleagues found 17 randomized clinical studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of non-ablative non-fractional for the treatment of acne scars. The most commonly reported side effects were: redness, swelling, flaking or peeling, pain, and burning.5
References
- Sobanko JF, and Alster TS. Management of acne scarring, part I: a comparative review of laser surgical approaches. Am J Clin Dermatol. 13(5), 319-30 (2012)
- Preissig J, Hamilton K, and Markus R. Current laser resurfacing technologies: A review that delves beneath the surface. Semin Plast Surg. 26(3), 109–116 (2012).
- Alexis AF, et al. Nonablative Fractional Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scarring in Patients With Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes IV-VI. Dermatol Surg. 42(3), 392-402 (2016).
- Alster TS, and West TB. Resurfacing of atrophic facial acne scars with a high-energy, pulsed carbon dioxide laser. Dermatol Surg. 22(2), 151-4 (1996).
- Modena DAO, Miranda ACG, Grecco C, Liebano RE, Cordeiro RCT, Guidi RM. Efficacy, safety, and guidelines of application of the fractional ablative laser erbium YAG 2940 nm and non-ablative laser erbium glass in rejuvenation, skin spots, and acne in different skin phototypes: a systematic review. Lasers Med Sci. 35(9), 1877-88 (2020).