Journal of

Postsurgical scars are of significant concern to both the patients and surgeons. Different laser systems have been used to accelerate and improve the healing process in surgical scars. Some studies have demonstrated the benefits of prophylactic laser application on pre-scars. It seems that using laser energy in the early phase of the healing process may produce changes in the physiology of wound healing toward a more fetal-like tissue regeneration and healing. Laser-Assisted Skin Healing (LASH) is a new approach in which laser irradiation is applied immediately after surgery in order to improve the resulting surgical scars. LASH produces controlled homogenous heating throughout the full thickness of the skin around the wound which accelerates wound healing without thermal damage to the tissue.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the available peer-reviewed research literature on the application of LASH, the in-vitro, animal and human studies and the suggested mechanisms of action. Further studies are necessary to optimize the best laser parameters especially according to different skin phototypes and  better understanding of the mechanisms of action.