Lasers for the prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars: a review of the literature

Despite the increasing knowledge about wound healing mechanisms and the advancements made in laser technology, hypertrophic scars remain difficult to manage. This review intends to discuss the laser devices studied in the prevention and treatment of HS, arising from trauma, surgery, and burns, detail their mechanisms of action, and emphasize those devices with the most promising effects. Most of the suggested mechanisms and explanations for the use of lasers in treating hypertrophic scars are based on selective photothermolysis, in which the light energy emitted from a laser is absorbed by its intended target, thereby disrupting existing collagen and altering the cycle of neocollagenesis. Through our literature review, we have determined that combination therapies, utilizing more than one laser target demonstrate enhanced clinical efficacy. Further, early use of laser devices has been shown to enhance the cosmetic result of sutured wounds and may play a role in preventing the development of hypertrophic scars.