Ablative Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment for Papular Scars of Nose and Chin Due to Acne: A Case Series

Introduction: Papular scarring of the nose and chin due to acne is an under-reported, under-recognized, and under-treated condition. Ablative carbon dioxide laser therapy (10,600 nm, continuous mode, energy of 15W) under local anesthesia is one of the choice. Here, we report series of patients with papular acne scars successfully treated with ablative carbon dioxide laser.Cases presentation: Five patients with papular scars of the nose and chin due to acne were treated at an outpatient dermatology clinic. All had type V skin according to the Fitzpatrick skin classification. Ablative carbon dioxide laser therapy (10,600 nm, continuous mode, energy of 15 W) was performed under topical anesthesia. The patients were re-examined at 2- to 3-week intervals, and laser treatment was repeated as needed.Discussion: All of the five patients showed encouraging results. Good cosmetic results were achieved in all patients. The drawbacks of treatment were mild to moderate pain during the procedure and the need for post-treatment skin care.Conclusion: Ablative carbon dioxide laser therapy can potentially be used as a safe and effective treatment for papular scars of the nose and chin due to acne.