Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids Using Intense Pulsed Light

Han, You jin; Jeong, Yun; Whang, Kyu Kwang

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scars and keloids are prevalent and emotionally debilitating dermatologic diseases. Various treatment modalities have been advocated to treat hypertrophic scars and keloids.
OBJECTIVE
This study prospectively assessed the safety and efficacy of using intense pulsed light (IPL) on scars that originate from surgery.
METHODS
A total 22 patients with surgically induced hypertrophic scars and keloids were treated with IPL. Treatment was administrated at 4-week intervals, with an average of 3.5 sessions (range=1~10). The scars were evaluated for pigmentation, pliability, height, vascularity, pain and pruritus by using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (MVSS). The subjective assessment of satisfaction was scored by the patients on a 25% increment of satisfaction scale. Evaluations were performed monthly during the follow-up period.
RESULTS
There was overall clinical improvement for the appearance of the scars. Although statistically significant improvement was not shown (p=0.47), the average MVSS showed a trend for favorable effects on the scars with the successive IPL treatments. The patients who had higher baseline MVSS (> or =10) demonstrated statistically significant improvements with the successive IPL treatments (p<0.05). The degree of the patient's satisfaction also improved with the treatment for all of the patients (p<0.05). The adverse effects were negligible.
CONCLUSION
IPL is one of the effective, safe methods to improve the clinical appearance of surgically induced hypertrophic scars and keloids and this treatment had high patient satisfaction and relatively few side effects.