Use of lasers in acute management of surgical and traumatic incisions on the face.

This article is a clinically practical review structured around the specific applications of laser technologies used in acute management of soft tissue injuries in surgical incisions and trauma. Surgical and traumatic incisions and injuries provide the clinician with the unique opportunity to follow the progression and maturation of the wound healing response from a very early stage. There has been a recent interest in early cosmetic optimization of surgical and traumatic wounds on the face using optical technologies. Early clinical results for acute laser intervention starting immediately after suture removal or the first several weeks after repair have been very promising. 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.