Fractional laser therapy versus microneedling for non-acne scars and scar-like dermal fibrotic lesions.
Dong Dong, Yushi Hong, Jia Wang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of fractional laser therapy versus microneedling for treating non-acne scars and scar-like dermal fibrotic lesions. Nine randomized controlled trials were analyzed, revealing that fractional laser therapy significantly improved scar scores (SMD = -0.99) and collagen fiber regeneration (SMD = -2.14) compared to microneedling. However, no significant differences were noted for other outcomes.
Key findings
- Fractional laser therapy improved scar scores significantly more than microneedling (SMD = -0.99).
- Collagen fiber regeneration was also significantly better with fractional laser therapy (SMD = -2.14).
- No significant differences were found for elastic fiber improvement or epidermal thickness.
- Substantial heterogeneity was observed across several outcomes.
Why it matters
Understanding the comparative effectiveness of these treatments is crucial for clinicians managing patients with non-acne scars, as it informs treatment decisions and patient expectations regarding outcomes.
What to keep in mind
Substantial heterogeneity across outcomes and limited sample sizes may affect the reliability of the findings.