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Original Research
Online Published: 29 Oct 2026
 
RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1024-1027

doi: 10.5455/rmj.20260820084704


Comparative efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers for treating enlarged facial pores

Dindar Sharif Qurtas.


Abstract
Objective: To compare the efficacy, safety, and patient-reported outcomes of fractional carbon dioxide (CO₂) versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) lasers for treating enlarged facial pores.
Methodology: This prospective analysis included 76 patients (38 in each group) who received three monthly sessions of either fractional CO₂ or Er:YAG laser. Outcomes measured mean pore size reduction via imaging analysis, quartile-scale improvement, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects. Statistical comparisons used t-tests and chi-square tests (p≤0.05).
Results: Both lasers significantly reduced pore size from baseline. CO₂ laser achieved a substantially greater mean reduction (~62%) compared to Er:YAG (~16%) p<0.001. Moderate-to-marked clinician-assessed improvement was observed in 82.1% of CO₂ patients versus 40.5% of Er:YAG patients (p<0.001). Patient satisfaction ("very satisfied") was also higher with CO₂ (76.7% vs. 48.1%), p=0.002. Adverse effects were mild and transient in both groups.
Conclusion: Both fractional CO₂ and Er:YAG lasers were effective and well-tolerated for reducing facial pore size. However, CO₂ laser demonstrated significantly superior objective improvement and patient satisfaction, suggesting it might be the preferred modality despite potentially longer recovery time.

Key words: Enlarged facial pores, fractional CO₂ laser, fractional Er:YAG laser.


 
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Pubmed Style

Dindar Sharif Qurtas. Comparative efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers for treating enlarged facial pores. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1024-1027.

doi:10.5455/rmj.20260820084704

Web Style

Dindar Sharif Qurtas. Comparative efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers for treating enlarged facial pores. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=331992 [Access: November 11, 2026].

doi:10.5455/rmj.20260820084704

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Dindar Sharif Qurtas. Comparative efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers for treating enlarged facial pores. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 1024-1027.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260820084704

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Dindar Sharif Qurtas. Comparative efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers for treating enlarged facial pores. RMJ. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 51(4): 1024-1027.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260820084704

Harvard Style

Dindar Sharif Qurtas (2026) Comparative efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers for treating enlarged facial pores. RMJ, 51 (4), 1024-1027.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260820084704

Turabian Style

Dindar Sharif Qurtas. 2026. Comparative efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers for treating enlarged facial pores. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1024-1027.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260820084704

Chicago Style

Dindar Sharif Qurtas. "Comparative efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers for treating enlarged facial pores." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 1024-1027.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260820084704

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Dindar Sharif Qurtas. "Comparative efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers for treating enlarged facial pores." Rawal Medical Journal 51.4 (2026), 1024-1027. Print.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260820084704

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Dindar Sharif Qurtas (2026) Comparative efficacy and safety of fractional CO₂ laser versus fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers for treating enlarged facial pores. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 1024-1027.


doi:10.5455/rmj.20260820084704

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