Effects of Minimizing Scar Formation by Early Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing

Reports on the use of fractional CO2 lasers to improve skin dyschromia, rhytides, and textural irregularities have increased. However, there is little mention of their impact on patients with traumatic or postoperative scars. Most reconstructive surgical interventions, such as conventional laser resurfacing and mechanical dermabrasion, focus on timing with respect to the return of tissue mechanical stability, which can potentially destabilize a healing tissue bed or disrupt the protective epidermal barrier prior to the sealing of the incision. We present our experience with the use of fractional CO2 lasers during early treatment times after surgery or trauma to reduce the formation of scars, and discuss the efficacy and safety of such an approach.