Published March 31, 2026 | Version v1
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Tratamiento Láser de las Cicatrices de Acné

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon Andalusian Health Service

Description

Acne scars are a common and highly psychosocially impactful sequela of acne vulgaris, affecting up to 95% of patients to varying degrees. Laser therapy has become a first-line tool in the management of these scars due to its ability to induce controlled dermal remodeling. Multiple laser modalities are currently available—including  ablative lasers (such as CO₂ and Er:YAG), non-ablative fractional lasers, vascular lasers (PDL), long-pulsed Nd:YAG, picosecond lasers, and even hybrid platforms—each
with distinct mechanisms of action and specific indications. This article provides a rigorous review of the most recent scientific evidence on the use of laser therapy for acne  scars, comparing the clinical efficacy, safety profile, recovery time, cost, and level of evidence of all current technologies. A comparative table of the main laser technologies is presented, together with a practical treatment protocol based on international consensus and stratification by phototype, age, scar type (atrophic vs. hypertrophic;  icepick, boxcar, and rolling subtypes), and severity. In addition, the limitations of current therapies, ongoing controversies (e.g., the concomitant use of laser therapy and  isotretinoin), and emerging lines of research—such as the combination of lasers with other modalities (e.g., photodynamic therapy, radiofrequency microneedling, growth
factors) and novel ultrashort-pulse lasers—are critically discussed. The aim is to provide the specialist physician with an updated, evidence-based guide to optimize laser-based management of acne scars, maximizing clinical outcomes safely and in a personalized manner for each patient.

Abstract (Spanish)

Las cicatrices de acné representan una secuela frecuente y de alto impacto psicosocial del acné vulgar, afectando hasta al 95% de los pacientes en grados variables. La terapia con láser se ha consolidado como una herramienta de primera línea para el abordaje de estas cicatrices, gracias a su capacidad de inducir remodelación dérmica controlada. Existen múltiples modalidades de láser disponibles –ablativos (como CO2 y Er:YAG) y no ablativos fraccionados, láseres vasculares (PDL), de pulso largo Nd:YAG, picosegundo, e incluso plataformas híbridas – cada una con
mecanismos de acción distintos e indicaciones específicas. Este artículo revisa rigurosamente la evidencia científica más reciente sobre el uso de láser en cicatrices de acné, comparando la eficacia clínica, perfil de seguridad, tiempo de
recuperación, costos y nivel de evidencia de todas las tecnologías actuales. Se presenta un cuadro comparativo de las principales tecnologías láser, así como un protocolo práctico de tratamiento basado en consensos internacionales y la estratificación por fototipo, edad, tipo de cicatriz (atrófica vs. hipertrófica; subtipos icepick, boxcar, rolling) y severidad.

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Additional details

Additional titles

Subtitle (Spanish)
Estado Actual, Comparativa de Tecnologías y Protocolo Clínico Basado en Evidencia
Translated title (English)
Laser Treatment of Acne Scars: Current Status, Technology Comparison, and Evidence-Based Clinical Protocol

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