Effectiveness of the long-pulsed ND:YAG 1064 nm laser with 15% vitamin C (L-acid ascorbate) solution combination therapy in the treatment of patients with atrophic acne scars

Background: Vitamin C and long-pulsed Laser Nd:YAG 1064 nm can reduce the severity of acne scars by increasing the number and density of collagen fibers. Furthermore, applying vitamin C after the skin resurfaces can improve its penetration into the skin. This study aimed to prove the difference between the effectiveness of the long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser with 15% vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) solution combination therapy and isolated long-pulsed Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser therapy in atrophic acne scars by assessing the decrease in Goodman and Baron scores. Methods: This study took the form of a double-blind, randomized controlled trial using a pretest-posttest comparison group design on patients with atrophy acne scars on the face. Both groups were assessed using the Goodman and Baron scores before and after therapy for three months. Subsequently, descriptive analysis and hypothesis testing were performed. Results: In the treatment group, the mean Goodman and Baron score decreased significantly after treatment to 13.9 ± 7.39 (P = 0.008), while in the control group, the mean score decreased significantly to 18.2 ± 9.34 (P = 0.007). Goodman and Baron Delta scores in the treatment group were significantly higher at 7.3 ± 2.78 compared with the control group at 3.1 ± 1.05 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser with 15% vitamin C solution (L-ascorbic acid) combination therapy is more effective in lowering the Goodman and Baron scores for atrophic acne scars than isolated long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser.