A comparison of the scar prevention effect between carbon dioxide fractional laser and pulsed dye laser in surgical scars

Dai Hyun Kim, Hwa Jung Ryu, Jae Eun Choi, Hyo Hyun Ahn, Young Chul Kye, Soo Hong Seo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The use of ablative lasers based on the fractional approach is a novel strategy for the treatment of postoperative and acne scars in addition to wrinkles. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of carbon dioxide ablative fractional laser (AFL) and the pulsed dye laser (PDL) for the improvement of surgical scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen Korean patients with surgical scars were enrolled for this study. Half of each scar was treated with a 10,600-nm AFL and the contralateral half with the 595-nm PDL. For early intervention of the postoperative scar, the laser treatments were begun after 2 weeks from the Mohs micrographic surgery. RESULTS: Both PDL and AFL produced statistically significant improvements. However, comparatively, there was no statistical difference between them. In each variable, AFL was more effective than PDL in the improvement of pliability and thickness. In contrast, PDL was superior to AFL in the improvement of vascularity and pigmentation. CONCLUSION: Pulsed dye laser and AFL treatments for surgical scar provide significant improvement. Pulsed dye laser was more effective in color of scar compared with AFL, which showed marked improvement in the contour of scar. Overall improvement was not statistically different in the Vancouver Scar Scale.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)973-978
Number of pages6
JournalDermatologic Surgery
Volume40
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014 Sept
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Dermatology

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