Fractional Ablative CO2 Laser and Oral Isotretinoin—A Prospective Randomized Controlled Split-Face Trial Comparing Concurrent Versus Delayed Laser Treatment for Acne Scars

This study investigated the effectiveness of fractional ablative CO2 laser (FACL) treatment for acne scars when administered concurrently with oral isotretinoin (ITN) versus delayed treatment 6 months after ITN cessation. In a prospective split-face randomized controlled trial, patients received FACL on one side of the face concurrently with ITN and on the other side 6 months post-ITN. The results showed that the concurrent treatment significantly improved acne scars, with a lower Global Acne Scarring Grading System (GASGS) score (4.7 ± 2.5) compared to the delayed treatment (7.7 ± 2.9), indicating that concurrent FACL-ITN treatment is more effective. The study was limited by standardized laser settings not tailored to individual skin types.