Facial scars after a road accident: combined treatment with PDL and Q-switched ND:YAG laser.

We report the case of a woman who presented with several facial scars following a road accident. Treatment was carried out using combined laser treatment with pulsed dye laser (PDL) and the Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (QS Nd:YAG laser). No side effects or complications from treatment were noted or reported. The patient had very good cosmetic results with this combined technique. A variety of facial scars--erythematous, pigmented, atrophic and hypertrophic--may occur as a result of trauma, surgery, burns and skin disease. Surgery with other adjunctive methods including radiotherapy, intralesional steroids and pressure therapy has shown variable results. Laser treatment has been attempted for scar revision since the 1980s. The PDL is the optimal treatment for reducing scar bulk and symptoms. It also decreases the erythema and telangiectasia associated with scars, normalizes the skin surface texture and improves scar pliability. The QS Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) is highly effective for traumatic tattoo removal, resulting in complete clearance in the majority of cases.