The use of fractional ablative laser-assisted drug delivery can decrease levels of hyperpigmentation in burn scars.
Wausau, WI (May 16, 2023) – Even after burn injuries heal, it is common that hypertrophic scars result. A commonly reported reason for a patient to seek treatment for their burn scar is to address concerns related to irregular skin discoloration. Fractional ablative laser scar revision (FLSR) is known to work by stimulating a wound-healing response to the laser microthermal zones. This study examines changes in scar melanin index after CO2 FLSR via noninvasive probe measurement in patients of various Fitzpatrick skin types.
The clinical report, led by Sanjana Kurup, is titled, “Treatment of burn hypertrophic scar with fractional ablative laser-assisted drug delivery can decrease levels of hyperpigmentation.” The report, published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (LSM), the official journal of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS), was selected as the May 2023 Editor’s Choice.
“This work is important because it is the first extensive study of fractional ablative laser treatment for patients with skin of color,” said Kurup. “Unlike what has been commonly reported, patients with baseline dark skin pigmentation can be treated with these types of lasers to treat burn scars.”
Sixty-three patients began a course of FLSR between October 2019 and December 2022 and underwent at least two procedures with corresponding pre- and postoperative evaluations. The study found that the majority of patients showed an improvement in hyperpigmentation after FLSR. The data from this study leads us one step closer to being able to develop interventions for hyperpigmentation that are even more effective.
Sanjana Kurup is a 4th-year medical student at Howard University College of Medicine. She will be pursuing her dermatology residency next academic year at Howard University. She conducted research in the burn research lab at MedStar Health Research Institute under the guidance of Dr. Bonnie Carney and Dr. Taryn Travis.
Editor’s Choice is an exclusive article published in LSM, the official journal of the ASLMS. View the complete manuscript.
The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS) is the largest multidisciplinary professional organization dedicated to the development and application of lasers and related technology for health care applications. ASLMS promotes excellence in patient care by advancing biomedical application of lasers and other related technologies worldwide. ASLMS membership includes physicians, surgeons, nurses, and allied health professionals representing multiple specialties, physicists involved in product development, biomedical engineers, biologists, industry representatives and manufacturers. For more information, visit aslms.org.