Efficacy and safety of 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with low fluence for keloids and hypertrophic scars

Background Several treatment modalities using laser devices have been used for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars with various therapeutic outcomes. Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the efficacy and safety of 1064-nm Q-switched (QS) Nd:YAG laser with low fluence on keloids and hypertrophic scars. Methods Keloids and hypertrophic scars located at 21 anatomic sites in 12 Korean patients (10 men and 2 women; mean age 23.8 years, range 21-33) were treated using 1064-nm QS Nd:YAG laser with low fluence at 1-2 week intervals. Treatment settings were 1.8-2.2 J/cm², 7-mm spot size and 5-6 passes with appropriate overlapping. Results Follow-up data collected 3 months after the final treatment revealed decreases in the mean score for the following lesion characteristics: pigmentation from 1.8 to 1.2; vascularity from 1.4 to 1.0; pliability from 3.0 to 2.0 and height from 2.3 to 1.8. The modified Vancouver General Hospital Burn Scar Assessment score decreased from 8.6 to 5.9 (P < 0.0001). Observed side-effects were a mild prickling sensation during treatment, and mild post-treatment erythema, both of which resolved within few hours. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that QS Nd:YAG laser with low fluence may be used for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars.