IMPACT OF LASER THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTROPHIC SCARS AND KELOIDS IN BURN PATIENTS

Abstract

The present research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of laser therapy in the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids in burned patients, considering the functional, aesthetic and emotional impacts of these injuries. The study consisted of an integrative literature review with a qualitative approach carried out in PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Virtual Health Library and ScienceDirect, including publications from 2020 to 2025. After applying the eligibility criteria, nine studies composed the final sample. The results showed that laser therapy, especially fractional carbon dioxide laser, contributed to the reduction of scar thickness, improvement of elasticity, texture, pigmentation and vascularization, in addition to reducing pain and itching. Better therapeutic response was also observed when associated with other interventions and when started early. It is concluded that laser therapy represents an effective and promising strategy in the management of post-burn scars, although further studies with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are still necessary.