Lasers in surgery and medicine
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Scars are usually classified into atrophic scars, hypertrophic scars and keloids. This author would classify atrophic scars as a subclass of non-hypertrophic scars. In other words, non-hypertrophic scars encompass atrophic (depressed) scars and flat scars that are literally flat or protrude minimally above the level of adjacent normal skin, because the same treatment protocol can be used for each. It is speculated that ablative lasers can be used to sculpt the contour of scars or to remove a controlled amount of scar tissue, while at the same time, activating a regenerative cascade. On the other hand, fractional and non-ablative lasers stimulate and/or keep a proliferative phase on, together with other unique beneficial effects of each device. ⋯ This study shows the possibility that, with appropriate combinations of different lasers, we can expect complete or near-complete resolution of many types of scars. Further research and data accumulation will help to establish better protocols for each class of scars.