Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Fractional CO₂ Laser Versus Micro-Needling with Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma in Treatment of Acne Scars – A Split Face Study

Objectives: Acne and the resulting scars affect 90% of adolescents, posing a significant challenge for young adults. This study compares the efficacy and safety of two widely-used treatments: Fractional CO 2 laser and micro-needling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), to determine a cost-effective solution with comparable results. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted at a dermatology outpatient department involving 60 participants. Goodman Barron scores were recorded for both sides of the face at baseline. One side received monthly treatments of Dermapen micro-needling with topical and intradermal PRP, while the other side was treated with fractional CO 2 laser for 4 months (four sessions). Assessments were made at 4 and 6 months, and adverse effects were recorded. Results: Both treatments showed significant quantitative improvements after four sessions and at 6 months, with fractional CO 2 laser achieving a 67% improvement and micro-needling with PRP achieving 65.2%. Subjective assessments indicated comparable outcomes ( P > 0.05). Notably, laser treatment resulted in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in 10% of cases. Conclusion: Fractional CO 2 laser and micro-needling with PRP demonstrate similar efficacy and safety in treating acne scars. Due to fewer side effects and quicker recovery observed with the combination therapy, it serves as a cost-effective alternative to fractional CO 2 laser for acne scar treatment.