Med Lasers.  2022 Jun;11(2):92-96. 10.25289/ML.2022.11.2.92.

Combination treatment for post-traumatic facial scars: 1,064-nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser with micro-lens array after fractional ablative CO₂ laser

• Kim BJ
• Kim SH
• Cha HG
• Park ES

• KMID: 2533577
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.25289/ML.2022.11.2.92

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Lasers are widely used for scar treatment because they are less invasive and safe. Fractional CO₂ laser treatment has proved to be useful for scar treatment but is relatively less effective for depressed or hyperpigmented scars. On the other hand, the picosecond laser, a later development, is known to be more effective for such scars. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of combining the two laser treatment methods.
Materials and Methods
Twenty-seven patients who received the fractional ablative CO₂ laser followed by 1,064-nm Nd:YAG picosecond laser with micro-lens array (MLA) treatments for post-traumatic facial scars were retrospectively evaluated. Photographs were taken before treatment and after the final procedure, and the scars were evaluated using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS).
Results
On average, patients were subjected to 4.37 fractional CO₂ laser sessions and 3.67 picosecond laser sessions. The mean of the VSS score improved from 7 to 2. In addition, recovery of the depressed scars was also observed through clinical photo reviews. No complications were reported due to the procedure.
Conclusion
The additional application of a picosecond laser with MLA after fractional CO₂ laser treatment can be a safe and effective way to further improve outcomes in patients with post-traumatic facial scars including pigmented or depressed scars. Although this study is limited to posttraumatic facial scars, we expect that the results of our study can be extended to scars due to various other causes in the future.

Keyword

Lasers; Picosecond laser; Cicatrix; Pigmentation; Depressed scar