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Split face evaluation of long‐pulsed non‐ablative 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser for treatment of direct browplasty scars
Author(s) -
Tenzel Phillip A.,
Patel Karan,
Erickson Benjamin P.,
Shriver Erin M.,
Grunebaum Lisa D.,
Alabiad Chrisfouad R.,
Lee Wendy W.,
Wester Sara T.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.22543
Subject(s) - medicine , scars , cosmesis , erythema , surgery , edema , patient satisfaction , forehead , dermatology
Purpose To investigate 1,064 nm long‐pulse Nd:YAG laser for postoperative treatment of direct browplasty scars. Methods Nine patients who underwent direct browplasty were enrolled in this prospective study. Subjects were randomized to unilateral laser treatment at 2‐week intervals for six total treatments, with the contralateral scar used as a control. Prior to each treatment, subjects rated treated and control scars on overall cosmesis. Post‐treatment, subjects rated each for erythema, swelling, discomfort, and perceived hair loss. Finally, examiners masked to treatment side were asked to judge side‐by‐side photographs of first and final visits for improvement and side effects. Results Subjects rated the overall appearance of the treated scar significantly higher at the time of treatment number 5 (mean score 5.13 ± 2.03, P = 0.008) and treatment number 6 (6.25 ± 1.98, P = 0.005) compared to treatment 1 (3.75 ± 2.12); by contrast, they failed to rate the control scar more highly. On masked examination of photographs, the treated scar was selected as most improved 50.0 ± 12.5% of the time. Both subjects and graders reported side effects as transient and mild to moderate (mean score 1–4), with no reports of hair loss from either subjects or observers. Conclusions The 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser provided significant improvement in scar cosmesis after direct browplasty, as rated by subject self‐report, but not by masked observers, and appears to be a useful tool for increasing satisfaction among those dissatisfied with direct browplasty scars. Side effects—including erythema, edema, and discomfort—were transient and universally rated as mild to moderate. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:742–747, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.