AF dermatologist uses laser to treat wounded warrior scars

  • Published
  • By Sergeant Robert Barnett
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  Maj. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, chief of pediatric dermatology at Wilford Hall Medical Center here, is using a new fractional laser to treat battle scars on troops injured in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

"The laser softens the texture of the scars," said Doctor Hivnor. "We are following the results achieved and functional improvements."

Initially, Doctor Hivnor used this state-of-the-art fractional laser technology to treat small scars on children. This gave him familiarity and experience with the laser for larger scars often seen on wounded warriors.

"It works by focally destroying a specific area of scar tissue, allowing the normal skin around the laser-treated area to heal," he said. "It can take up to six months to see the improvement. The softness of the scar is the most dramatic change."

Wilford Hall, one of the few medical centers in the country with this technology, has had the laser on loan from the manufacturer since late February and has treated a number of wounded warriors since then. The hospital has received its permanent fractional laser.

Doctor Hivnor is the only physician currently treating patients here with the laser, and at this point, he is only treating wounded warriors.

"I hope they are able to come here for treatment," he said. "It's an honor for me to be able to help our wounded warriors."