Efficacy and safety of Picosecond ND: YAG laser in the treatment of post-acne erythema by comparison of 1064 nm picosecond micro-lens array vs 595 nm picosecond waves: split face clinical study

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of two picosecond-laser wavelengths, 1064 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet with a micro-lens array and 595 nm, in the treatment of PAE using a split-face design. Methods: Each of them received three sessions of Picosecond laser every two weeks using two Handpieces, the short wave fractional 1064 nm applied to the right side of the face, and the 595 nm dye picosecond handpiece used for the left side of the face. All the patients were observed through multiple photos taken before, during, and two months after the last session. Results: Treatment with both wavelengths demonstrated significant (p<0.05) reductions in erythema. Still, the comparison of results between left and right laser treatments revealed that the larger mean difference (1.750) for the right side compared to the left side (1.200) suggests that the laser treatment had a more substantial effect on reducing right clinician erythema assessment scores (p=0.0001). No severe adverse events were reported, highlighting the safety of both modalities. Conclusion: The micro-lens array 1064 nm handpiece of the picosecond laser demonstrated superior efficacy compared to the short pulse 595 nm handpiece for treating post-acne erythema (PAE). The picosecond laser also exhibited an excellent safety profile with minimal adverse effects, making it a valuable and recommended treatment modality for PAE management.