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. 2024 Nov;17(11):39-44.

Efficacy of Fractional 2940-nm Erbium:YAG Laser Combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus its Combination with Low-Level Laser Therapy for Scar Revision

Mai Abdelraouf Osman  1 , Nevien Ahmed Samy  1 , Ahmed Shami Jasim  2
Affiliations

Efficacy of Fractional 2940-nm Erbium:YAG Laser Combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus its Combination with Low-Level Laser Therapy for Scar Revision

Mai Abdelraouf Osman et al. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of combining fractional 2940-nm Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus its combination with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for enhancing the outcome of postsurgical and post-traumatic scars.

Methods: Fourty-five individuals with post-surgical or post-traumatic scars were randomly divided into three groups: Group A received four fractional Er:YAG laser sessions spaced four weeks apart along with eight sessions of intradermal PRP injections spaced two weeks apart; Group B received four fractional Er:YAG laser sessions spaced four weeks apart along with two sessions of light emitting diode (LED) weekly; and Group C received four fractional Er:YAG laser sessions spaced four weeks apart. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using clinical photographs, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), patient satisfaction and histopathology.

Results: Regarding vascularity following treatment and the total VSS score, there were significant differences between the studied groups, with scoring was the lowest in Group A compared to Group B and C. Patient satisfaction was the highest in Group A compared to Group B and C.

Limitations: A limitation of the current study is the short follow-up period.

Conclusion: Scar revision therapy using combined fractional Er:YAG laser with either PRP or LLLT were found to be more efficient and superior to fractional Er:YAG laser alone.

Keywords: Fractional Er:YAG laser; PRP; low-level laser therapy; scar revision.

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Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURES: The authors report no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
Post-traumatic scar on the right cheek of a female patient: a) before treatment, b) three months after treatment with fractional Er:YAG laser and PRP. Histopathological findings of the scar using H&E stain (original magnification x100): c) before treatment showing broad interfibrillar spaces and dense disorganized dermal collagen bundles, d) three months after treatment with fractional Er:YAG laser and PRP showing less dense and more organized collagen bundles
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.
Inframammary post-surgical scar of a female patient: a) before treatment, b) three months after treatment with fractional Er:YAG laser and diode laser. Histopathological findings of the scar using H&E stain (original magnification x100): c) before treatment showing relatively irregularly thickened collagen fibers with more abundant and thicker walled blood vessels, d) three months after treatment with fractional Er:YAG laser and diode laser showing relatively thin parallel collagen fibers with scattered thin walled blood vessels
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3.
Post-surgical scar on the right thigh of a female patient: a) before treatment, b) three months after treatment with fractional Er:YAG laser alone. Histopathological findings of the scar using H&E stain (original magnification x100): c) before treatment showing tiny fragments of dense irregular collagen fibers, d) three months after treatment with fractional Er:YAG laser alone showing less dense regular collagen fibers
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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