Alteration of argon laser-induced scars by the pulsed dye laser

Ten patients with portwine stains (PWS) with test sites previously exposed to an argon laser were evaluated and subsequently treated with five pulsed dye (585 nm) laser treatments over a 10 month period. Clinical assessments, skin surface texture analyses using optical profilometry, and light microscopic histological evaluations were performed prior to commencement and at the end of the study in all ten patients. A change in the skin texture with return of skin markings approximating those of normal skin measured by optical profilometry was observed in the argon treated PWS skin following pulsed dye laser treatments.