Does Immediate Laser Treatment Minimize Scarring?

A recent Reuters Health reports states that “treating the edges of a surgical wound with a fractional carbon laser immediately before closing the wound — rather than the more traditional method of waiting months to resurface surgical scars — will minimize scarring later.”

People need to be wary of studies quoted to support absolute statements. There are few real absolutes in science and far more in advertising. The study quoted  reflects the interpretation of ten patient photographs after skin procedures performed by dermatologists in which half a wound was treated with  laser.

The conclusion that immediate fractional carbon laser treatment will make scars less appreciable later is premature, to say the least. The second supposition,  that using a laser months after an operation for scar treatment is standard,  is spurious as well. 

What does the study prove?

Further study is indicated to determine whether or not patients who have procedures by dermatologists might benefit by laser treatment. With a small sampling of just ten patients, no other conclusions are reasonable. Making a broad-based absolute conclusion based on this very small study is not good science. 

Problems?

(1) Scar formation varies greatly, depending on the area of the body, type of skin, age of the patient, and surgery performed.  

(2) As a general rule, health insurance companies will not pay for laser procedures to treat scarring, and costs vary, greatly depending on the type of laser used and  the size of the area to be lasered.