Atrophic Facial Scars Secondary to Discoid Lupus Erythematous: Treatment Using the Erbium:YAG Laser

BACKGROUND Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition notorious for causing disfiguring scars and alopecia. We describe the case of a 66-year-old woman with a 25-year history of relapsing DLE who developed extensive cribriform scarring on her face. OBJECTIVE To assess the safety and efficacy of laser resurfacing in the treatment of facial scars in DLE. METHODS One patient was treated with an Er:YAG laser and followed for more than 2 years. RESULTS The patient showed remarkable cosmetic improvement with no hypertrophic scarring and no reactivation of her disease. CONCLUSION Er:YAG laser resurfacing may be safe and effective in the treatment of patients with DLE-induced atrophic scars.