• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.52-54
• /
• 2021

There is growing interest in minimizing postoperative scarring after a thyroidectomy. Among the many treatment types, laser therapy, especially picosecond-domain laser therapy, is accepted as a standard method. In the present case, a patient with a pigmented, contracted scar was treated using the combination of a picosecond laser and ablative fractional (AF) CO₂ laser. After 15 sessions of 1,064-nm picosecond with micro lens array (MLA) and AF CO₂ laser application, the patient showed significant improvement in their pigmented lesions and scar contracture with no noticeable side effects for 16 months. These results suggest that a combination of picosecond laser with MLA and AF CO₂ laser can treat pigmented, contracted scars safely and effectively.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.179-183
• /
• 2020

The picosecond laser has been widely used to remove tattoos, and improve wrinkles, acne scarring, and pigmented scars. This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a 1,064-nm fractional picosecond laser treatment for depressed traumatic scars. A total of twenty Korean patients with depressed scars were treated with a 1,064-nm fractional picosecond laser at a two-week interval with a spot size of 3 mm, fluence of 3.5 to 5.5 J/cm², and frequency of 2 Hz with a combination of microlens arrays. At 4 weeks after the final treatment, there was a statistically significant improvement in the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) and the patient satisfaction score without any significant complication. A 1,064-nm fractional picosecond laser treatment is a safe and effective method to improve traumatic wound scars with depression.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.19-23
• /
• 2019

Background and Objectives The picosecond 755 nm alexandrite laser was first approved by the US FDA in 2012. A previous study described the use of a 1,064 nm picosecond laser with a micro-lens array (MLA) in peri-areolar scarring from breast reconstruction surgery and reported significant improvement in the texture and aesthetic appearance of the scar without other wound complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the improvement of overall scarring, not just pigmentation, in the picosecond laser treatment of patients with pigmentations. Materials and Methods Sixteen patients who underwent 1,064 nm picosecond laser treatment from June 2016 to December 2018 were enrolled in this study. Patients received two to six sessions of picosecond laser treatment at intervals of 4 weeks. Before and after the laser treatment, the patients evaluated their own satisfaction score and a physician evaluated the Vancouver Scar Scale. To evaluate the satisfaction score and complication rate, a retrospective chart review was done. Results Seven were female and nine were male. The mean of the patients' satisfaction score before the treatment was 1.44 (interquartile range [IQR], 1-2) and 3.00 (IQR 2.25-3.75) six months after treatment. The mean of the Vancouver Scar Scale before the treatment was 9.69 (IQR 8-11), and 6.25 (IQR 5-7.75) six months after treatment. All the results were statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusion This study provides evidence that the use of a 1,064 nm picosecond laser treatment for pigmented scars can be effective in improving the pigmentation and overall scar status, including vascularity, height, and pliability, with the results of a decrease in the VSS scores between treatments.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.418-420
• /
• 2014

Congenital melanocytic nevus consists of congregations of nevomelanocytes. It is found in approximately 1% of new born infants. Congenital melanocytic nevus needs to be excised before it transforms into a malignant lesion. Many strategies have been attempted for the removal and reconstruction of the nevus. Serial excision enables wound closure to be accomplished with a shorter scar than if the original lesion was elliptically excised in a single stage and reorientation of the scar closer to the relaxed skin lines. The routine utilization of an elliptical serial excision as a standard method of closure often leads to the formation of elongated scars and waste of skin. The "Cogwheel pattern" serial excision is a new technique for reducing the size of the nevus efficiently. Reducing the final scar length, distributing the tension over many directions, and having the chance of decrease in operation numbers are ultimately achieved with the use of the "Cogwheel pattern" serial excision.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.275-281
• /
• 2019

The pathological condition of excessive melanogenesis causing freckles, melasma, senile lentigo, pigmented acne scars, and cancer has a critical impact on the wellness of individuals. The mechanism of melanogenesis is related to the expression of melanogenic enzymes. Here, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of pine cone (Pinus densiflora) extracts on melanogenesis. P. densiflora, the Korean Red Pine, is the predominant tree species in the cool, temperate forests of northeast Asia, occurring in pure stands across Korea, Japan, and parts of northern China and Russia. P. densiflora leaves, pollen, and bark have been widely used for traditional medicine, or edible purposes. However, pine cones are rarely used as natural raw materials, although they contain many bioactive phytochemicals. The pine cone ethyl acetate fraction (PEF) showed no toxicity to B16F10 cells at a concentration of less than $100{\mu}g/mL$. PEF inhibited the expression of microphthalmiaassociated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related factors in B16F10 cells treated with 3-Isobutyl1-methylxanthine (IBMX). These results suggest that pine cones can be used as an effective natural melanogenesis inhibitory agent.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.366-373
• /
• 2014

Background The advent of skin-sparing mastectomy has allowed for the reconstruction of the breast and nipple with improved cosmesis. However, the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) in Asian patients is more pigmented and scars easily. Therefore, commonly described incisions tend to result in poor aesthetic outcomes in Asian patients with breast cancer. Methods We describe an algorithmic approach to skin-sparing mastectomy incisions in Asian patients on the basis of the location of the biopsy scar and the tumor site and size. Four incision types are described: peri-areolar, a peri-areolar incision with a second distant skin paddle, "racquet handle," and peri-areolar with adjacent skin excision. Results 281 immediate breast reconstructions were performed between May 2001 and February 2012 after skin-sparing mastectomy. The mastectomy incisions used included the peri-areolar design (n=124, 44%), peri-areolar design with a second distant skin paddle (n=39, 14%), "racquet handle" (n=21, 7.5%), and peri-areolar design with adjacent skin excision (n=42, 14%). The traditional elliptical incision and other variants where the NAC outline was not preserved were performed in the remaining 55 patients. The average follow-up was 44.7 months during which there was 1 case of total flap loss and 7 cases of partial flap necrosis; all remaining flaps survived. 24% of the patients (68/281) underwent subsequent nipple reconstruction. Conclusions Our algorithm avoids breast incisions that are randomly placed or excessively long and prevents the unnecessary sacrifice of normal breast skin. This allows skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction to be performed with a consistently achievable aesthetic result in Asian women without neglecting oncological safety.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.452-456
• /
• 2008

Herpes zoster, an acute viral infection produced by the varicella zoster virus, may affect any of the trigeminal branches. This case report presents a patient with symptoms mimicking odontogenic pain. No obvious cause of the symptoms could be found based on clinical and radiographic examinations. After a dermatologist made a diagnosis of herpes zoster involving the third trigeminal branch, the patient was given antiviral therapy. Two months later the facial lesions and pain had almost disappeared, and residual pigmented scars were present. During the diagnostic process, clinicians should keep in mind the possibility that orofacial pain might be related to herpes zoster.