Studying Intense Pulsed Light Method Along With Corticosteroid Injection in Treating Keloid Scars

Abstract

Background:Results of various studies suggest that the hypertrophic and keloid scars are highly prevalent in the general population and are irritating both physically and mentally.Objective:Considering the variety of existing therapies, intense pulsed light (IPL) method along with corticosteroid injection was evaluated in treating these scars.Materials and Methods:86 subjects were included in this clinical trial. Eight sessions of therapeutic intervention were done with IPL along with corticosteroid intralesional injection using 450 to 1200 NM filter, Fluence 30-40 J/cm2, pulse duration of 2.1-10 ms and palsed delay 10-40 ms with an interval of three weeks. To specify the recovery consequences and complication rate and to determine features of the lesion, the criteria specified in the study of Eroll and Vancouver scar scale were used.Results:The level of clinical improvement, color improvement and scar height was 89.1%, 88.8% and 89.1% respectively. The incidence of complications (1 telangiectasia case, 7 hyperpigmentation cases and 2 atrophy cases) following treatment with IPL was 11.6%. Moreover, the participants’ satisfaction with IPL method was 88.8%.Conclusions:This study revealed that a combined therapy (intralesional corticosteroid injection + IPL) increases the recovery level of hypertrophic and keloid scars. It was also demonstrated that this method had no significant side effect and patients were highly satisfied with this method.

Vascular and Collagen Target: A Rational Approach to Hypertrophic Scar Management

“… 87 In one clinical study, keloids were 89.1% improved, as measured by the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), after IPL when combined with corticosteroid injection. 88 Although IPL is not entirely free from side effects ( e.g. , incidental pain, blistering, and purpura), its prevalence is much lower than that of other interventions for HS.…”

In Situ Cytokine Expression and Morphometric Evaluation of Total Collagen and Collagens Type I and Type III in Keloid Scars

“…Similar to our results, the literature shows that patients with keloid present an average age between 24 and 35.7 years [ 3 , 38 ] and the appearance of these lesions occurs between 11 and 40 years [ 39 ]. It has been suggested that this age group is associated with hormonal changes, surgery, trauma [ 40 ], increased exposure to lesions by perforations, such as earrings/piercings [ 41 ], and also a higher recurrence during pregnancy [ 42 ]. In our study, there was a prevalence of nonwhite, which has also been reported in the literature [ 41 , 43 ], and studies have been conducted to prove the presence of genetic factors from family heredity and the frequency in specific ethnic populations [ 43 , 44 ].…”

Treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars. Position statement of the Brazilian expert group GREMCIQ

“…91 IPL targets both hemoglobin and melanin, improving pigmentation and vasculatity. 91,92 IPL technology advantage over PDL (dye lasers) is the lower incidence of postoperative purpura; it rather increases the blood vessel temperature, leading to coagulation and destruction. 93 Pulsed dye lasers deliver a 585-nm wavelength at a shortpulse duration (450 μs), allowing a penetration depth of only 1.5 mm, while IPL enables deeper-seated vessels.…”

“…41,83 Intense pulsed light Intense pulsed light emits broad light wavelengths (400-1200 nm), and it has been used to treat scars for more than 15 years. 91 Some IPL machines allow to use blocking filters in wavelengths that vary from 515 up to 755 nm to prevent emission of optical ray with shorter wavelengths. 91 IPL targets both hemoglobin and melanin, improving pigmentation and vasculatity.…”