Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy for Effective Treatment of Facial Traumatic Hypertrophic Scar: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scars occur when there is an excessive wound-healing response in the skin. Fractional, or fractionated, carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy uses narrow shafts of light to smooth the skin surface and stimulate dermal collagen, which tightens the skin. This case report describes a 57-year-old woman with a traumatic hypertrophic scar of the face treated with fractional carbon dioxide laser therapy. The purpose of this case report was to highlight the role of fractional CO2 laser therapy in treatment of a facial traumatic hypertrophic scar in a patient after a motor vehicle crash. CASE REPORT A 57-year-old female patient presented with a hypertrophic, rigid, post-traumatic scar on the left side of her face following a motor vehicle crash. For the hypertrophic scar removal, the patient underwent 1 treatment session with fractional CO2 laser using the µ-Scan DOT scanning system. After 1 laser treatment session, the photographic documentation, which permits monitoring the treatment's effectiveness in esthetic improvement, showed a significant improvement in scar texture and color. In addition, a significant reduction in scar height was observed following laser therapy. Fractional laser treatment with the device was very well tolerated by the patient, who reported no pain or discomfort, complications, or adverse effects either during treatment or in the follow-up period (3 months). CONCLUSIONS This report demonstrates the cosmetic application of fractional carbon dioxide laser therapy in a case of hypertrophic scar with the use of an effective therapeutic protocol that did not require the use of suturing.

Clinical evidence of 595 nm pulse dye laser treatment for viral warts on hands and feet.

BACKGROUND: Viral warts, induced by infection by different HPV genotypes, are highly frequent in the general population, particularly during infancy and among adolescents. The effectiveness of the 595 nm Pulse dye-laser in treating viral warts on the hands and feet in both adults and children was investigated in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A selection of 203 patients with multiple viral warts was made. All patients underwent 4-5 treatment sessions with a 595 nm pulse Dye Laser (PDL). Treatment outcome was assessed by a quartile scale: 1 indicates no or low results (0%-25% of the lesion area cleared), 2 indicates slight clearance (25%-50% of the lesion area cleared), 3 indicates moderate-good clearance (50%-75%), and 4 indicates excellent clearance (75%-100%). Patients were asked for a subjective evaluation of the perceived overall results by means of the following score: unsatisfied (1), not very satisfied (2), satisfied (3), and very satisfied (4). Possible side effects were monitored. Results obtained were judged with a photographic evaluation, immediately and at the control visit (6 months after the last laser session). RESULTS: All patients observed global improvements. Most of the lesions were completely removed after laser therapy. A total of 95% of patients achieved excellent clearance and they were very satisfied following the laser treatment. Relevant side effects were absent in all patients. CONCLUSION: PDL treatment with the study device using a wavelength of 595 nm has proven to be a tolerable and safe therapy for viral warts management.

Use of a microwave device for the treatment of cellulite and localized fat adiposity: a 1-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The body contour market has grown steadily over the last years, due to the persistent demand for non-invasive treatments for localized fat adiposities, cellulite, and skin laxity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new device delivering microwaves (MWs) energy for unwanted fat and cellulite reduction after a full cycle of treatments and 1 year later. A total of 45 patients with localized adiposity and/or cellulite in different body areas (inner thigh, upper arm, abdomen, culotte de cheval, buttocks), received four treatment sessions, 4 weeks apart. Photographic records and global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) score were performed. RESULTS: For the treatment of cellulite the average GAIS score passed from 3.65 ± 0.49 at 1-month follow-up (1MFU) to 2.7 ± 0.66 at 1-year follow-up (1YFU). For the treatment of localized adiposity, the average GAIS score passed from 3.52 ± 0.51 at 1MFU to 2.82 ± 0.88 at 1YFU. No particular red area was detected either during or after the treatment. There was no mention of assessment of pain or side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings showed that MWs allow for the treatment of cellulite and localized fat adiposity in a safe and effective way, with results lasting over time up to 1 year after the end of the treatment.