title: The Role of Elastic Fibers in Scar Formation and Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laser therapy is a continuously evolving treatment option for scars, and the underlying therapeutic mechanisms continue to be elucidated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To comprehensively review the literature to summarize the role of elastin in the formation scars, as well as treatment via therapeutic lasers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the PubMED/MEDLINE database for available studies pertaining to the role of elastic fibers in scar formation and after laser-based therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The loss and disorganization of elastic fiber components plays a role in the development of atrophic, hypertrophic, and keloid scars. While the majority of histologic studies focus on the underlying changes in collagen, neoelastogenesis and reorganization of elastic fibers have also been demonstrated in studies using ablative, nonablative, and fractional laser devices for the treatment of scars.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Production of novel elastin and normalization of elastic fiber organization occur after a variety of resurfacing procedures to treat scarring. As the treatment modalities to manage scars continue to evolve, further characterization of the role of elastin in the skin and in scar formation is merited.
authors.affiliation: *The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York; †Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, New York, New York; ‡McDaniel Institute of Anti-Aging Research, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
authors.forename: Brandon E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Roy G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Geronemus
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: McDaniel
authors.forename: Jeremy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brauer
mesh_terms: D002921:Cicatrix / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004549:Elastin / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy
chemical_list: D004549:Elastin