Scar Therapy Showdown—Triamcinolone Takes the Crown, but the Field Is Full of Contenders
Are you reassessing your approach to hypertrophic and keloid scars? A PRISMA-guided review in the August 2025 issue of JDD reveals that triamcinolone injections deliver an average 82.2% reduction in scar severity on the Vancouver Scar Scale, far outpacing traditional pressure garment therapy. Early application of pressure garments achieves just a 30.2% improvement, while late-stage use barely nudges scar scores by 4.5%. Nd:YAG laser therapy and intralesional verapamil follow behind at 65.4% and 57.7% efficacy, respectively, yet neither matches the consistent performance of steroids.
This review analyzed 12 high-quality studies encompassing 397 patients, comparing pressure garment therapy with a spectrum of non-PGT treatments, including bleomycin, silicone gel, Botulinum toxin, and massage. The findings challenge long-standing scar-management protocols, underscoring the need to pivot toward evidence-based approaches that prioritize triamcinolone for both emerging and established scars. At a time when patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes are paramount, dermatologists must rethink their first-line therapies and integrate proven modalities like Nd:YAG laser when steroids alone aren’t enough or are contraindicated.
If you’re ready to lead the shift in scar management, it’s time to update your treatment pathways, share insights with colleagues, and advocate for standardized protocols in future trials. Don’t let outdated practices hold your patients back—read the full systematic review and discover how to elevate your clinical results today.
J Drugs Dermatol (24(8): doi:10.36849/JDD.8895)
Blog write-up assisted by AI
