Safe and effective treatment of problem scars with the purely thermal non-ablative Er:YAG laser scar mode.

INTRODUCTION

Traumatic events as well as surgery can cause a large variety of scars, which are often a major psychological concern to patients. Moreover, patients often report itching or burning sensations as well as pain. We investigated the efficacy of purely non-ablative laser therapy in order to improve the appearance and quality of these scars.

METHODS

A total of 62 patients with problem scars were enrolled in the study. The purely thermal, non-ablative scar mode of an Er:YAG laser (BURANE XL; Wavelight AG, Erlangen, Germany) was used. One to six treatment sessions were performed. The improvement of scar redness, scar flatness, scar quality, itching and burning sensations as well as pain and patient satisfaction were evaluated.

RESULTS

The overall scar quality improved in 93% of patients. Similarly, the flatness improved in 89% of scars, itching sensation in 79% and burning sensation in 86% of patients. In 91% of scars a decrease of scar redness was seen and all painful scars showed a pain reduction. Average patient satisfaction was 7.4 on a 10-point scale. Sixty-one patients would recommend the therapy to another person. Side effects were limited to transient erythema and oedema.

CONCLUSION

The high success rate combined with the low side-effects resulted in high patient satisfaction. Post-traumatic or post-surgical scars can safely and effectively be treated by the thermal scar mode of the Er:YAG laser used.