Combined treatment of keloids and scars with Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser and cryotherapy: Report of clinical cases

Abstract

Keloids and scars are devastating situations requiring treatment to reduce disfigurement and functional limitations. Therapeutic options should be made on a case-by-case basis. Laser still seems to be an underrated option and has not been so widely used as its efficiency deserves. In this report we investigate the benefits of 1064nm Nd: YAG laser (Genesis, Cutera Inc) applied in non-contact mode on keloids and hypertrophic scars and show how the combination with cryotherapy on elevated parts resulted in obvious clinical improvement of several patients with scars of varied origin, from accidents of transit, work, infections and surgeries. Pulsed light was immensely effective and was also used in the treatment of hyperchromic scars.