Can we use laser for treating scars (acute/chronic)?

Cliff, thanks for posting. That was useful information. Sunil, I agree with Cliff - the time taken to apply inhibitory doses of Photobiomodulation of any kind to an extensive area is likely to be significant. If the scarring is from burns, perhaps a better way forwards would be to discuss with specialist burn physiotherapists regarding, for example, compression garments. I can recommend Dr Dale Edgar (at University of Notre Dame Australia, and Adult Burn Unit at the Fiona Stanley Hospital, Western Australia). Regards, Liisa

Sunil Further to our recent discussions and the photos you sent me I think it worth advising the panel that, in this case, the scars are covering whole limbs and appear to be, but may not be, due to burns. I think one of the big draw backs, especially using LLLT, will be the amount of time required to administer the required amount of energy over such large areas Cliff

Dear Sunil, As per my previous post, "I have used Photobiomodulation (with athermal low-level laser therapy) to soften scars associated with pain most likely from nerve impingement, and have found that a combination of high fluence PBM (J/cm2 in the bioinhibitory range 10-15J/cm2) works best when combined with low % corticosteroid cream applied to the scar ONLY, plus silicon pad with compression plus home program of transverse frictions. As I do not use HILT, I cannot advise you on that (HILT warms tissues so it's not truly athermal)."

There is no published evidence as far as I know regarding Photobiomodulation (athermal) therapy laser/light energy for scar management so I doubt the pre-set protocols you refer to are evidence-based unless the manufacturer is simply translating dosing parameters from ablative laser publications which is an incorrect method. I'm sorry I can't give you any other guidance. Regards, Liisa

Thanks for both the replies, but I am yet to figure out what amount of laser dosage is suitable for chronic scar treatment. Is there any way I could attach the images of the scars I am referring, to this link, so that you could suggest a more appropriate solution.

Some high power laser device manufacturing companies have pre-set protocols for scar treatment in their devices. Are they evidence based?

Dear Sunil, I think you are referring to chronic closed scar tissue, right? Not open wounds? Most of the published evidence for that application is in the photothermolysis literature which suggests that high irradiance devices (with power output that heats and ablates tissue), and specifically pulsed dye lasers (which are not used by physiotherapists), have the best effect. See following:

Hi Sunil In fact it seems that LASER (high or Low) as some benefits over scars and tissue repair. I've some good results using LLLT (HeNe 632,8 nm) on bedsores and varicose ulcers. Like oder therapeutic interventions, treatment protocols are a work in progress. This article as very useful iformations about this issue. https://epadb.com/artigo_pubmed/advances-in-the-treatment-of-traumatic-scars-with-laser-intense-pulsed-light-radiofrequency-and-ultrasound/

Hop it can help

Last updated 10 months ago