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1064-nm Q-switched fractional Nd:YAG laser is safe and effective for the treatment of post-surgical facial scars

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Abstract

Post-surgical facial scars are often associated with unaesthetic outcome. Treatment of these scars using various lasers could be beneficial; however, the use of the Q-switched fractional (QSF) 1064-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser has yet to be evaluated for this indication. Our objective was to determine the safety and efficacy of a QSF-Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of post-surgical facial scars. Eleven (5 male, 6 female) patients who underwent facial surgery with significant scarring were treated using the QSF-Nd:YAG laser. Scars were exposed to 600–1200 mJ/stacked pulses (12–24 mJ per pixel), emitted at a rate of 10 Hz for up to 2 passes per treatment session, receiving overall 3–6 treatments. Patient follow-up was 3 months. Scars’ photographs were blindly assessed by two dermatologists, who graded them on a scale of scar severity from 1 to 5 (1 = least severe, 5 = most severe) before and after treatment. A blinded before/after recognition of these photographs was also performed. Patient satisfaction was assessed 3 months post-treatment and graded on a scale of 1–5 (1 = not satisfied, 5 = very satisfied). Pain perception and adverse effects were also evaluated. Patients demonstrated a decrease in scar severity score by a mean of 1.57 points (p = 0.0005). A blinded before/after recognition was correct in 86.5% of the cases. Pain and adverse effects were mild and transient. Patient satisfaction was high (4.2). QSF-Nd:YAG laser is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of post-surgical facial scars.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr. Igor Snast, MD and Prof. Daniel Mimouni, MD who graciously evaluated before and after photos of the patients taking part in this study.

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Author notes

  1. Lehavit Akerman, Efrat Solomon-Cohen and Mati Rozenblat contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Lehavit Akerman, Efrat Solomon-Cohen, Emmilia Hodak, Moshe Lapidoth & Assi Levi

  2. Laser Unit, Division of Dermatology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel

    Efrat Solomon-Cohen, Emmilia Hodak, Moshe Lapidoth & Assi Levi

  3. Department of Dermatology, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel

    Mati Rozenblat

Authors
  1. Lehavit Akerman
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  2. Efrat Solomon-Cohen
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  3. Mati Rozenblat
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  4. Emmilia Hodak
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  5. Moshe Lapidoth
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  6. Assi Levi
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Correspondence to Efrat Solomon-Cohen.

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Akerman, L., Solomon-Cohen, E., Rozenblat, M. et al. 1064-nm Q-switched fractional Nd:YAG laser is safe and effective for the treatment of post-surgical facial scars. Lasers Med Sci 36, 871–874 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03134-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03134-8

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