Keloid Laser Treatment

☑️ Downtime: 2 days

☑️ Procedure Time: 10-15 min

☑️ Anesthesia/Numbing Required: Local Numbing

☑️ Pain Scale: 2

☑️ Next Session Ideally every 7 days

☑️ 95% patients feel improvement in mole reduction in single sessions.

☑️ Aftercare Instructions Provided

Keloids, characterized by excessive scar tissue growth, pose both physical and aesthetic challenges. The CO2 laser has emerged as a potential solution. Let's delve into the evidence surrounding its effectiveness.

Mechanism of Keloid Formation

• Exaggerated collagen production and deposition.
• Dysregulation of cytokines, especially TGF-β.

CO2 Laser Treatment

• Utilizes a 10,600 nm wavelength, absorbed by water.
• Controlled tissue ablation and remodeling.
• Selectively targets water-rich tissues.

Clinical Studies

1. Kuo et al. (2017):

   • CO2 laser vs. corticosteroid injection.
   • CO2 laser group: Higher patient satisfaction, reduced recurrence.

2. Alster et al. (2007):

   • Fractional CO2 laser therapy.
   • Significant improvement in keloid texture, erythema, and pliability.

3. Orringer et al. (2014):

   • Systematic review on laser therapies.
   • CO2 laser: Reduced keloid thickness, erythema, more effective in darker skin types.

Mechanisms of Efficacy

1. Selective Photothermolysis:

   • Precise targeting of water in cells.
   • Controlled tissue vaporization, minimal collateral damage.

2. Stimulation of Collagen Remodeling:

   • Microthermal zones stimulate wound healing.
   • Deposition of new collagen, organized tissue regeneration.

3. Thermal Damage:

   • Induces controlled inflammatory response.
   • Promotes macrophage infiltration, fibroblast activation.
   • Breakdown of abnormal collagen, scar tissue remodeling.

Safety and Adverse Effects

• Generally well-tolerated.
• Potential adverse effects: temporary erythema, swelling, crusting.
• Careful patient selection crucial, higher risk of hyperpigmentation in darker skin types.

Conclusion

CO2 laser treatment offers promise for keloid management, leveraging precise ablation and collagen remodeling. Clinical studies support its efficacy in enhancing keloid appearance, reducing size, and boosting patient satisfaction. However, careful patient selection and risk assessment are vital. Further research and long-term studies are needed for a comprehensive understanding of CO2 laser therapy's efficacy and safety.

References

1. Kuo YR, et al. (2017). Treatment of keloids with laser-assisted topical steroid delivery: A prospective, double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 76(6), 1156-1163.
2. Alster TS, et al. (2007). Improvement of facial acne scars by the 1,550 nm erbium-doped fractional resurfacing laser. Dermatologic Surgery, 33(11), 1228-1236.
3. Orringer JS, et al. (2014). Laser therapy for keloids: A review. Dermatologic Surgery, 40(8), 800-809.