Abstract
Purpose of review: Facial scars can develop as a result of trauma, surgery, burns, acne, or other conditions. These scars are often quite distressing to patients. Lasers were first used to treat these scars in the 1990s. Recently, new laser technology has been used to prevent and treat scars. This literature review and the report of the senior author's recent experience summarize the recent advances in laser treatment of scars. Recent findings: With the development of new laser technology, the treatment options for hypotrophic scars and developing scars have increased. Furthermore, there are expanded options for treatment of established hypertrophic scars. Recent studies have shown that nonablative and fractionated lasers can be effective for treating hypotrophic and developing scars. Scar improvements may be due to direct effects of the laser and/or histochemical effects, including production of heat shock proteins and tumor growth factors. Nonablative and fractionated lasers have a shorter recovery period than CO2 resurfacing lasers. This can vary from a few hours to up to 7 days. Summary: Recent new laser technology has increased the options for treatment of scars. These have been shown to be beneficial for hypotrophic, incipient, and established scars. The benefits of laser therapy may be due to direct and/or histochemical effects.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 283-288 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1 2011 |
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Keywords
- facial scars
- fractionated laser treatment of scars
- heat shock proteins
- hypertrophic scars
- hypotrophic scars
- laser treatment of scars
- tumor growth factors
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Surgery
Cite this
Laser treatment of facial scars. / Carniol, Paul J.; Meshkov, Lauren; Grunebaum, Lisa.
In: Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Vol. 19, No. 4, 01.08.2011, p. 283-288.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Laser treatment of facial scars
AU - Carniol, Paul J.
AU - Meshkov, Lauren
AU - Grunebaum, Lisa
PY - 2011/8/1
Y1 - 2011/8/1
N2 - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
AB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
KW - facial scars
KW - fractionated laser treatment of scars
KW - heat shock proteins
KW - hypertrophic scars
KW - hypotrophic scars
KW - laser treatment of scars
KW - tumor growth factors
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80051791390&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/MOO.0b013e32834896b9
DO - 10.1097/MOO.0b013e32834896b9
M3 - Article
C2 - 21659876
AN - SCOPUS:80051791390
VL - 19
SP - 283
EP - 288
JO - Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
JF - Current Opinion in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
SN - 1068-9508
IS - 4
ER -