Laser treatments in early wound healing to improve scar formation

Summary

For decades, lasers have been used to treat scars on the skin. In recent years, doctors have started using lasers during the actual wound healing process, rather than after the scar has formed, to try to minimise the scar developing. However, there is not yet a set method for exactly how this should best be done. In this study, from Germany and Denmark, 30 patients having skin surgery had half of their wound treated with a type of laser called 1540 nm NAFL, immediately before surgery, at suture removal and six weeks after surgery. The other half of the wound did not get any laser treatment. Three months later the scars were assessed by experts and by the patients and using different scales. NAFL‐treated halves were less red, more pliable and smoother compared to untreated halves. The authors conclude that three NAFL‐treatments provided in early wound healing may improve scar formation, although NAFL‐treated wounds did not heal without any scarring. It may be necessary to leave longer than three months after surgery to properly assess the scar formation and how well the treatment works.

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