title: Treatment of hesitation marks on the forearm by the pinhole method.
abstract: Scars from self-inflicted wounds, referred to as "hesitation marks," are usually linear, flat, poorly oriented, white in color, and often located on the forearm. Many patients do not undergo treatment for these due to limited available modalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the pinhole method using a 10,600 nm carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for treating hesitation marks on the forearm. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with hesitation marks treated by the pinhole method from March 2010 to April 2014. Eleven patients with hesitation marks (mean age 37.8 years; range, 23-67 years) were treated with the pinhole method over the 4-year study period. Subjects were treated via the pinhole method in one to six treatment sessions at 4- to 8-week intervals. Two blinded observers evaluated photographs taken at baseline and 3 months after the final treatment and assessed improvement using a quartile grading scale. Compared with baseline, there was mild to moderate improvement in all patients (mean score 3.0). The patient satisfaction survey revealed a mean improvement score of 2.82. The pinhole method using a CO2 laser may be an effective treatment option in patients with hesitation marks on the forearm.
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Star Skin & Laser Clinic, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Ju
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yeon A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: No
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Star Skin & Laser Clinic, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Moon
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Star Skin & Laser Clinic, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Won Soon
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Yonsei Star Skin & Laser Clinic, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Young Koo
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. kyky@medimail.com.|Departments of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, 224-1 Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 156-755, South Korea. kyky@medimail.com.
authors.forename: Kui Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: CO2 laser; Hesitation mark; Pinhole method