Preliminary findings show promising improvement with the 1550-nm nonablative fractional erbium laser.
Burn scars are unsightly, interfere with function, and are difficult to treat. These investigators conducted a single-arm, prospective trial to assess the utility of so-called fractional nonablative resurfacing for treating widespread second- and third-degree burn scars.
Ten patients with sustained scarring from deep second- or third-degree burns received five treatment sessions with 1550-nm nonablative laser resurfacing at 4-week intervals. Independent raters noted moderate to excellent improvement in 60% of scars 3 months after treatment. More than 80% of those treated were observed to have had at least some improvement in skin texture, dyschromia, and hypertrophy/atrophy.
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant / Advisory boardAmway
Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; Dermatologic Surgery; Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology; Lasers in Medical Science; Skin Therapy Letter
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Health Care Finance Committee); American College of Mohs Surgery (Board of Directors); American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (Board of Directors)
DisclosuresConsultant / Advisory boardAmway
Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; Dermatologic Surgery; Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology; Lasers in Medical Science; Skin Therapy Letter
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Health Care Finance Committee); American College of Mohs Surgery (Board of Directors); American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (Board of Directors)
Citation(s):
Waibel J et al. Treatment of burn scars with the 1,550 nm nonablative fractional erbium laser. Lasers Surg Med 2012 Aug; 44:441.
Comment
These preliminary findings lend credence to the anecdotal reports that fractional resurfacing helps soften and improve burn scars. Wounded warriors and others stand to benefit greatly. As these authors suggest, it is possible that the deep microscopic holes bored by fractional devices help to address the deep component of these scars. Concurrent treatment with intralesional steroids and other topical or intralesional drugs may help, as the channels created by fractional resurfacing may allow these substances to be absorbed. When is the optimal time to treat burn scars by resurfacing remains an open question, with some experts suggesting as soon as possible, but these authors advocating 1 year post-injury. Finally, while promising, the benefits seen in this study need to be further confirmed by comparison in a randomized, controlled trial.