Laser advances in the treatment of burn and traumatic scars.

Abstract

The realm of scar management is constantly changing. Many factors need to be considered when developing a comprehensive treatment plan, including the nature of the scar and the patient. Scar characteristics can be divided by color, scar type and thickness, and body location. Topical and intralesional agents and light- and laserbased treatments can be used to revitalize and restore damaged skin in atrophic and hypertrophic scars. The most commonly used lasers are the pulsed-dye laser (PDL) and fractional lasers. Ideally, a combination approach using topical and intralesional medications along with pulsed-dye laser and a fractional laser should be considered in all patients wishing to undergo treatment of their hypertrophic and atrophic scars. Keloidal scars tend to be resistant to standard therapy so other modalities should be considered.