Subdermal Laser‐Assisted Scar Subcision (SLASS) Combined With Fractional CO 2 Laser for Acne Scars: Efficacy Evaluation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Background Rolling atrophic acne scars attach the deeper dermis to the muscular–fascial layer with a fibrous component. Subcision is the most commonly used treatment technique for rolling scars. Aims Our objective is to describe the efficacy and safety profile of a new type of subcision: the “subdermal laser‐assisted scar subcision” (SLASS), using a 1470‐nm diode fiber laser in combination with ablative fractional CO 2 laser. Patients/Methods A retrospective study of the combination of subcision with subdermal laser and CO 2 fractional laser in one session for 42 patients is presented. For the subcision, 400‐μm fibers of a 1470‐nm diode laser were used with energies ranging from 100 to 200 J per 2 cm 2 area, using 3–4 W of power and pulsed mode with 15–25 ms pulses. After subcision, CO 2 fractional laser was performed with different settings depending on the deepness of the scars: 40–50 W power peak, 1–1.5 ms dwell time, and 20%–30% density. Results Mean reduction of the ECCA grade scale before and after treatment was of 92.6 ± 34.3 points ( p < 0.05). Considering SCAR‐S scale, ranging from 0 to 5 (0 = clear; 5 = very severe), a mean improvement of 1.67 points was obtained ( p < 0.05). Significant differences were found in both ECCA scale and SCAR‐S scale before and after treatment. None of the patients had severe adverse effects after the procedure. Conclusions SLASS subcision can be considered as a promising technique for rolling acne scars. It provides a thermo‐mechanical subcision effect to the scarred area compared with traditional subcision techniques. CO 2 laser seems effective and safe.
Source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.70219
Authors: Adrián Alegre‐Sánchez, Ana Suárez‐Valle, Diego Fernández‐Nieto, Alejandro Lapeña, Elena Macías‐del Toro, Claudia Bernárdez
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,020
OpenAlex ID: W4409903298