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Efficacy, safety, and guidelines of application of the fractional ablative laser erbium YAG 2940 nm and non-ablative laser erbium glass in rejuvenation, skin spots, and acne in different skin phototypes: a systematic review

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Abstract

Non-ablative and ablative fractional erbium lasers are among the most frequently used resources in dermatology for facial rejuvenation and for treating dermatological disorders. This type of erbium laser can be found at wavelengths of 1540 or 1550 nm, which are classified as non-ablative erbium glass, and at 2940 nm, classified as ablative erbium YAG. Despite the reports of their clinical benefits, few scientific studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of these lasers in the short or long term. In order to substantiate the effects, benefits, and safety of applying the erbium glass and erbium YAG lasers, a systematic review was carried out from August to December 2019 about studies published in the last 20 years. Randomized clinical trials in humans were considered that evaluated the efficacy, safety, and benefits of applying the fractional lasers erbium glass and erbium YAG to facial rejuvenation, skin spots, and atrophic acne scars. A total of 338 articles were identified; 76 articles remained after their titles and abstracts were read, and 42 articles were selected after removing the duplicates. After the articles were read in full, 17 of these articles were included in the systematic review (453 patients). The erbium glass and erbium YAG lasers seem promising in the short term, with minimal adverse effects; however, the long-term efficacy and safety still present limitations. Consequently, future research is needed, with better methodological standardization and a follow-up with a longer evaluation period for possible permanent adverse effects to determine the standardization and safety of therapy with erbium glass and erbium YAG lasers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Medical Sciences Institute, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Débora Aparecida Oliveira Modena

  2. Department of Research, Development and Innovation of Ibramed, Study Group in Applied Technologies for Health, Amparo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Débora Aparecida Oliveira Modena, Ana Carolina Godoy Miranda, Clovis Grecco, Richard Eloin Liebano & Renata Michelini Guidi

  3. Center for Advanced Studies Ibramed (CEFAI), Amparo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Débora Aparecida Oliveira Modena, Ana Carolina Godoy Miranda, Clovis Grecco & Renata Michelini Guidi

  4. Department of Tocogynecology, Medical Sciences Institute, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Ana Carolina Godoy Miranda

  5. Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, Brazil

    Richard Eloin Liebano

  6. The Specialized Ambulatory of Cosmiatry, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Raquel Cristina Tancsik Cordeiro

  7. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computing Engineering Institute, University of Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

    Renata Michelini Guidi

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  1. Débora Aparecida Oliveira Modena
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  2. Ana Carolina Godoy Miranda
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Contributions

Débora A. Oliveira Modena, MSc, searched for articles in databases, analyzed articles, and wrote the manuscript. Ana Carolina Godoy Miranda, PhD, searched for articles in databases, analyzed articles, and contributed to the manuscript’s writing. Clovis Grecco, PhD, revised and contributed to writing the manuscript. Richard Eloin Liebano, PhD, revised and contributed to writing the manuscript. Raquel Cristina Tancsik Cordeiro, PhD, revised and contributed to writing the manuscript. Renata Michelini Guidi revised and contributed to writing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Débora Aparecida Oliveira Modena.

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Modena, D.A.O., Miranda, A.C.G., Grecco, C. et al. Efficacy, safety, and guidelines of application of the fractional ablative laser erbium YAG 2940 nm and non-ablative laser erbium glass in rejuvenation, skin spots, and acne in different skin phototypes: a systematic review. Lasers Med Sci 35, 1877–1888 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03046-7

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