A new study published in Acta Derma Venereologica compared the efficacy and safety of fractional laser-assisted topical corticosteroid delivery with fractional laser monotherapy in the treatment of hyper-trophic scars.

This was a randomized, comparative, split-scar trial, wherein 19 subjects were divided into a laser + steroid group and laser + petrolatum group, based on the treatment received. At the 3-month follow-up, a borderline significant reduction in scar thickness was observed in the laser + steroid group compared with the laser + petrolatum group. However, no significant long-term difference in scar flattening was noted between the two groups. Meanwhile, patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale scores suggested significant improvement in scar appearance from baseline—without significant differences between treatment groups. 

In inference, it was stated that fractional laser monotherapy is an effective treatment for hypertrophic scars, and the application of topical corticosteroid provides no long-term synergistic effect to fractional laser monotherapy.

Source: Acta Derma Venereologica. 2021 Mar 17;101(3):adv00416. doi: 10.2340/00015555-3781.