Evaluation of nonablative fractional laser treatment in scar reduction

Abstract

Fractional lasers have been used for the improvement of scar tissue in the recent years but there has not been extensive research on their impact. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nonablative fractional laser (NAFL) on acne, burn, and surgery/traumatic scar. The scars were also categorized as atrophic, hypertrophic, and keloid, and treatment efficacy was investigated accordingly. This is a retrospective, single-center study. Scar tissues were treated using a nonablative fractional 1550-nm Erbium glass laser in high-energy parameters at 4-week interval for 4-8 sessions. The scar regression score (SRS) was used to determine the decrease in scar appearance. Forty-six patients with acne (n:18), burn (n:13), or surgery/traumatic (n:15) scar were included. The number of sessions was higher for burn patients while SRS in burn patients was lower than in patients with acne or a surgical/traumatic scar. Evaluation according to scar types showed that atrophic scars had a significantly better response to NAFL treatment. This study indicates that NAFL treatment with the high-energy parameters has better outcomes in atrophic acne scars, while the success rate is considerably low in post-burn and keloid scars.

Combination therapy using non‐ablative fractional laser and intralesional triamcinolone injection for hypertrophic scars and keloids treatment

“…Because NAFL is non‐invasive, it is an attractive treatment modality in scar management. Although previous studies on laser treatments for hypertrophic scars and keloids focused on pulsed dye lasers and ablative lasers, numerous studies have reported the effectiveness of NAFL . NAFL not only induces collagenolysis and neocollagenesis but also reduces scar fibrotic changes, resulting in better skin with less hardening and thickening.…”

“…NAFL not only induces collagenolysis and neocollagenesis but also reduces scar fibrotic changes, resulting in better skin with less hardening and thickening. A review of several studies showed that NAFL also efficiently improved skin outcomes with less pigmentation and vascular changes in scars …”

“…Because of increasing demands for scar treatments and the limitations of previous treatment methods, various types of laser treatments have been introduced. Recently, non‐ablative fractional lasers (NAFL) have been used for scar management, and they have shown promising results . The NAFL creates small columns of coagulation in skin, while keeping surrounding tissues intact.…”

“…This pattern of microscopic thermal damage stimulates epidermal turnover and dermal collagen remodelling. As the stratum corneum, which contains relatively less water, remains intact and epidermal function is preserved, adverse effects and recovery time are significantly reduced in NAFL compared with other ablative devices …”

A novel technique for treating atrophic facial scars in Asians using ultra‐pulse CO2 laser

“…Atrophic scars are dermal depressions commonly caused by collagen destruction owing to inflammatory skin diseases such as acne, surgery, trauma, infection, and varicella . Atrophic acne scars have been reported in up to 50% of acne patients and account for a large proportion of atrophic scars . Patients with deep‐seated atrophic facial scars may suffer from associated physical and psychological disabilities.…”