Color-Guided Long-Pulsed 532/1064-nm KTP/Nd

PURPOSEPost-acne erythema (PAE) is a common sequela of inflammatory acne. Pulsed dye laser is effective for vascular erythema but is associated with purpura and downtime. This study evaluated the real-world effectiveness and tolerability of a standardized, color-guided long-pulsed 532/1064-nm KTP/Nd:YAG protocol for PAE.

METHODSThis single-center retrospective cohort study screened 147 patients and included 136 eligible patients. All patients completed three sessions at 4-week intervals. Each session comprised low-fluence full-face 532-nm KTP scanning followed by lesion-targeted treatment: 532-nm KTP for pink-to-red lesions and 1064-nm Nd:YAG for violaceous lesions, with both wavelengths used when both color patterns were present. Outcomes included an adapted CAT score, erythematous area percentage, Investigator Global Assessment, satisfaction, pain, 6-month quantitative stability, clinical worsening, and adverse events.

RESULTSThe median CAT score decreased from 5 to 1, and the median erythematous area percentage decreased from 4.50% to 1.00% (both p < 0.001). Median CAT improvement rates were 58.34%, 84.52%, and 87.50% in low-, intermediate-, and high-severity groups, respectively; the between-group difference was not significant (p = 0.10). All patients in this cohort achieved at least 25% improvement on Investigator Global Assessment. Satisfaction was 97.79%, and the median pain score was 2/10. Transient erythema resolved within 1–3 days. One patient (0.74%) developed purpura with a small blister; no pigmentary sequelae or scarring occurred. At 6 months, CAT score and erythematous area percentage remained comparable with the 1-month posttreatment values in the overall cohort (p = 0.285 and p = 0.346, respectively) and across baseline severity subgroups (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that a standardized three-session, color-guided long-pulsed 532/1064-nm KTP/Nd:YAG protocol may be an effective and well-tolerated option for PAE, with exploratory 6-month quantitative stability, warranting confirmation in prospective controlled studies.

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