Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40619722›Full record

ArticleThe American journal of case reports2025

Advanced Fractional CO₂ Laser Treatment for Steroid-Induced Atrophy Scars: Clinical Outcomes.

Klodiana Braho, Alessandra Zevini, Daniela Martinelli, Riccardo Barini

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in The American journal of case reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Klodiana BrahoPrivate Practice, Klodiana Braho Clinics, Tirana, Albania.
Alessandra ZeviniEl.En. Group, Calenzano, Italy.
Daniela MartinelliEl.En. Group, Calenzano, Italy.
Riccardo BariniEl.En. Group, Calenzano, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND Steroid-induced atrophy is a common complication of intralesional corticosteroid use, characterized by thinning of the dermis and epidermis, reduced fibroblast activity, and subcutaneous fat atrophy. Traditional treatment modalities, including topical therapies, dermal fillers, and fat grafting, often yield variable results and present limitations such as invasiveness, temporary effects, or complications. This case report presents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of steroid-induced atrophic scars (SIAS) on the face, using fractional CO₂ laser therapy, recognized for its ability to promote dermal remodeling and scar improvement. CASE REPORT A 32-year-old woman presented with a single atrophic scar on her cheek, resulting from an intralesional corticosteroid injection. The patient underwent a preparatory phase involving mono polydioxanone (PDO) threads and dimethylaminoethanol (DMEA) skin booster to enhance dermal remodeling. She then received 2 sessions of fractional 10 600 nm laser therapy spaced 4 months apart, with tailored parameters: initial settings of 15 mJ/dot and 100 dots/cm², adjusted to 175 dots/cm² with Spread Half Fill Mode in the second session. This approach minimized downtime, with erythema resolving in 1-2 days, and avoided post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Clinical evaluations, including the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS), showed significant improvement. The patient reported high satisfaction and improved quality of life. CONCLUSIONS Fractional CO₂ laser therapy represents a promising, minimally invasive treatment option for SIAS. The dual-session protocol highlighted in this report underscores its safety and efficacy. Future research should include larger trials, comparative studies, and parameter optimization for diverse populations.

Indexed as

CicatrixGlucocorticoidsLasers, GasAdultAtrophyFemaleHumansGlucocorticoids

Identifiers

PMID40619722
PMCPMC12247627

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.