Efficacy of a 1064-nm Picosecond Laser for Treating Early-Stage Traumatic and Surgical Scars

Abstract

Background: The role of fractional picosecond-domain lasers in scar remodeling is being increasingly recognized. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a fractional 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) picosecond laser for treating early-stage traumatic and surgical scars in an Asian population.

Methods: Thirty-seven patients with 49 early-stage traumatic and surgical scar lesions were enrolled. Participants underwent three treatment sessions with a fractional 1064-nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser at 4-8-week intervals. Two non-involved dermatologists evaluated the treatment response using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS).

Results: After treatment, the early-stage traumatic and surgical scars significantly improved. The treatment effects differed markedly according to the number of treatment sessions (F=219.71, P<0.001). The VSS scores were 5.56 ± 2.17 and 3.85 ± 2.02 in the postoperative period after one (P<0.001) and three (P<0.001) sessions, respectively, compared with the baseline VSS score (6.94 ± 1.85). After three treatment sessions, 69.39% of the scars improved based on the GAIS scores.

Limitations: This study was limited by the small number of participants involved and the lack of a control group.

Conclusion: The fractionated 1064-nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser effectively treated early-stage traumatic and surgical scars in an Asian population.

Level of evidence iv: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Keywords: Early-stage scars; Nd:YAG; Picosecond-domain laser; Surgical scar; Traumatic scar.