title: Efficacy of IPL device combined with intralesional corticosteroid injection for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars with regards to the recovery of skin barrier function: A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Keloids and hypertrophic scars are prevalent and psychologically distressful dermatologic conditions. Various treatment modalities have been tried but without complete success by any one method.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the efficacy of a combination of intense pulsed light (IPL) device and intralesional corticosteroid injection for the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars with respect to the recovery of skin barrier function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Totally 52 Korean patients were treated by the combined treatment at 4-8-week intervals. Using digital photographs, changes in scar appearance were assessed with modified Vancouver Scar Scale (MVSS), physicians' global assessment (PGA) and patient's satisfaction score. In 12 patients, the stratum corneum (SC) barrier function was assessed by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and SC capacitance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most scars demonstrated significant clinical improvement in MVSS, PGA and patient's satisfaction score after the combined therapy. A significant decrease of TEWL and elevation of SC capacitance were also documented after the treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination therapy (IPL + corticosteroid injection) not only improves the appearance of keloids and hypertrophic scars but also increases the recovery level of skin hydration status in terms of the skin barrier function.
authors: a Department of Dermatology , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Republic of Korea .|b Department of Dermatology , Seoul National University Boramae Hospital , Seoul , Republic of Korea , and.
authors: Dong Young
authors: DY
authors: Kim
authors: a Department of Dermatology , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Republic of Korea .|b Department of Dermatology , Seoul National University Boramae Hospital , Seoul , Republic of Korea , and.|c Institute of Human-Environment Interface Biology, Seoul National University , Seoul , Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyun Sun
authors: HS
authors: Park
authors: a Department of Dermatology , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Republic of Korea .|b Department of Dermatology , Seoul National University Boramae Hospital , Seoul , Republic of Korea , and.|c Institute of Human-Environment Interface Biology, Seoul National University , Seoul , Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyun-Sun
authors: HS
authors: Yoon
authors: a Department of Dermatology , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Republic of Korea .|b Department of Dermatology , Seoul National University Boramae Hospital , Seoul , Republic of Korea , and.|c Institute of Human-Environment Interface Biology, Seoul National University , Seoul , Republic of Korea.
authors: Soyun
authors: S
authors: Cho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004817:Epidermis / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional / Q000379:methods; D007627:Keloid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010781:Photography; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones
keywords: Hypertrophic scar; intense pulsed light; keloid; skin hydration