Nd:Yag lasers are used in a wide variety of dermatological treatments. For acne patients, Nd:YAG laser systems are used for treating both active acne infections and acne scars. Additionally, Nd:YAG lasers can be used in both non-ablative (low power) and ablative (high power) applications. Ablative treatments are usually reserved for skin resurfacing procedures and are more commonly used in treating acne scars rather than active acne infections.
Nd:YAG Lasers for the Treatment of Active Acne Infections
Most of the Nd:YAG laser based treatments for active acne infections utilize a non-ablative (low power) laser. This treatments is capable of causing some thermal damage to cells and stimulating the production of collagen, but does not destroy substantial numbers of cells. Most of the published research suggests that this type of treatment can produce mild to moderate improvements in acne symptoms.
Ablative Nd:YAG Treatment can Improve Active Acne Vulgaris (Deng)
Results from Study using High Power Nd:YAG (Deng, et al)
Pulsed Dye Laser vs Q-Switched Nd:YAG in Acne Treatment (Jung)
PDL vs Nd:YAG Acne Treatment - Summary of Results (Jung)
At Least One Study Suggested that Low Power (Non-ablative) Nd:YAG is not an Effective Treatment for Acne (Orringer, et al)
Nd:YAG Lasers for the Treatment of Acne Scars
Nd:YAG lasers can be used in both non-ablative and ablative applications to improve the appearance of acne scars. Non-ablative treatments tend to be minimally invasive and appear to work by stimulating the growth of new skin tissue and increasing collagen production. Ablative Nd:YAG is used for superficial skin resurfacing and can help even out minor irregularities. Nd:YAG does not penetrate the skin as deeply as the C02 laser and is generally less effective at improving significant or deep scarring.
Low Power (Non-Ablative) Nd:YAG Treatment Generates Minimal Improvement in Acne Scars (Friedman, et al)
Minor Improvement in Appearance of Acne Scars After Non-Ablative Nd:YAG Treatment (Rogachefsky)
Non-Ablative Facial Nd:YAG Scar Treatment Close Ups (Rogachefsky)
Minor Improvements in Acne Scarring After Non-Ablative Nd:YAG Treatment (Sadick)
Non-Ablative Nd:YAG Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scars - Close up Images (Keller)
Nonablative Nd YAG Acne Scar Treatment - Summary of Results (Keller)
Nd:Yag Laser Treatment of Acne Scars and Erythema - Before and After (Lipper)
Non-ablative Nd:YAG Acne Scar Threatment Study - Summary of Results (Lipper)
Long Pulse (Higher Power) Nd:YAG Treatment of Acne Scars (Min, et al)
Cellular and Histologic Views of Nd:YAG Laser Treatment
Non-Ablative Nd:YAG Treatment Stimulates the Synthesis of Collagen (Keller)
Skin Resurfacing with Non-Ablative Nd:YAG - Before and After Images (Friedman)
Pulsed Dye Laser vs Nd:YAG Treatment - Cellular and Histological Changes (Lee)
References and Sources
Fractional 1320 nm Nd : YAG laser in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a pilot study.
Deng, et al. 2009. For article abstract, click here.
A randomized, controlled, split-face clinical trial of 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Orringer, et al. 2007. For article abstract, click here.
Treatment of Atrophic Facial Acne Scars With the 1064-nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser.
Friedman, et al. 2004. For article abstract, click here.
Nonablative Acne Scar Reduction after a Series of Treatments with a Short-Pulsed 1,064-nm Neodymium:YAG Laser.
Lipper, et al. 2006. For article abstract, click here.
Nonablative 1,064-nm Nd:YAG Laser for Treating Atrophic Facial Acne Scars: Histologic and Clinical Analysis.
Keller, et al. 2007. For article abstract, click here.
Comparison of a Long-Pulse Nd:YAG Laser and a Combined 585/1,064-nm Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scars: A Randomized Split-Face Clinical Study.
Min, et al. 2009. For article abstract, click here.
Comparison of a 585-nm pulsed dye laser and a 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of acne scars: A randomized split-face clinical study.
Lee, et al. 2008. For article abstract, click here.
Atrophic and a Mixed Pattern of Acne Scars Improved With a 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser.
Rogachefsky, et al. 2003. For article abstract, click here.
A Preliminary Study of Utilization of the 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scarring.
Sadick, et al. 2004. For article abstract, click here.
Comparison of a Pulsed Dye Laser and a Combined 585/1,064-nm Laser in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.
Jung, et al. 2009. For article abstract, click here.
Related Posts @ The Science of Acne
In Depth: Nd:YAG Laser Treatment
Overview: Light and Laser Acne Treatments
Overview: Acne Scar Treatment
In Depth: What Causes Acne?
Additional Online Resources
Nd:YAG laser @ Wikipedia
Physician Reviews of Nd:YAG Lasers @ MedicalSpaMD
YAG Laser Patient Reviews @ RealSelf
