Efficacy and Safety of Rhodamine Intense Pulsed Light in Treating Hypertrophic Scars: A Retrospective Study with Dynamic Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hypertrophic scars (HTs) pose challenges in aesthetic management and patient satisfaction. Conventional treatments such as corticosteroid injections and silicone gels often show limited efficacy on the vascular component. Rhodamine-based intense pulsed light (IPL) targets vascular tissues selectively, offering a potential noninvasive solution. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rhodamine-based IPL in treating HTs with a prominent vascular component, using clinical photography, dynamic optical coherence tomography (D-OCT), and patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 patients with persistent HTs characterized by a prominent vascular component. Each patient received two IPL treatments at 20-day intervals using a rhodamine-based IPL device. Outcomes were assessed through digital photography and D-OCT imaging to quantify changes in vascular and structural characteristics. The Vancouver Scar Scale was used for clinical assessment. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the Aesthetic Numeric Analogue (ANA) scale, and adverse effects were documented at each visit. RESULTS: Most patients demonstrated clinical and instrumental improvements. Digital photography and D-OCT data indicated significant reductions in erythema, vessel diameter, and vessel density. Clinical observers reported good to excellent improvements in 10 out of 12 patients. ANA scores showed increased patient satisfaction. Mild, transient erythema was observed in some patients, with no severe adverse effects reported. CONCLUSION: Rhodamine-based IPL therapy is a safe, effective treatment for HTs with prominent vascular components, reducing vascularization and improving scar texture and appearance. Despite the small sample size, these findings support further exploration of rhodamine-based IPL as a targeted noninvasive therapy in HT management.