Restoration of form and function after burn injury remains challenging, but emerging laser and pulsed light technologies now\r\noffer hope for patients with hypertrophic scars, which may be associated with persistent hyperemia, chronic folliculitis, intense\r\npruritis, and neuropathic pain. In addition to impairing body image, these scars may limit functional recovery, compromise\r\nactivities of daily living, and prevent return to work. Three different platforms are now poised to alter our reconstructive\r\nalgorithm: (1) vascular-specific pulsed dye laser (PDL) to reduce hyperemia, (2) ablative fractional CO2 laser to improve texture\r\nand pliability of the burn scar, and (3) intense pulsed light (IPL) to correct burn scar dyschromia and alleviate chronic folliculitis.\r\nIn this paper, we will provide an overview of our work in this area, which includes a systematic review, a retrospective analysis of\r\nour preliminary experience, and interim data from our on-going, prospective, before-after cohort trial. We will demonstrate that\r\nlaser- and light-based therapies can be combined with each other safely to yield superior results, often at lower cost, by reducing\r\nthe need for reconstructive surgery. Modulating the burn scar, through minimally invasive modalities, may replace conventional\r\nmethods of burn scar excision and yield outcomes not previously possible or conceivable.
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