Lumenis UltraPulse Technology is Being Used to Treat Kim Phuc “The Girl in the Picture”

Lumenis Ltd.’s UltraPulse laser is being used by Jill Waibel, MD to treat scars on Kim Phuc, a survivor of a Vietnam War bombing in 1972. The UltraPulse was chosen for its effectiveness in laser scar revision therapy that is needed to penetrate deep into the thick scars.

Kim Phuc, also known as “The Girl in the Picture” from the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph that remains iconic of the Vietnam War, has been living with remnant scars from the 1972 errant napalm bombing of her village. Ms. Phuc recently met Dr. Jill Waibel of the Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, who has offered her pro bono treatments, and is treating her more than 40-year old scars with advanced laser technology.

“I am really excited to be able to offer hope to Kim, as well as many other patients with severe burn and traumatic scars,” says Dr. Waibel. “Through recent technological developments, we are now able to offer substantial improvements in patients’ quality of life, addressing range of motion, pain and the appearance of their scars.  Over the past ten years, I have treated thousands of scar patients using a variety of lasers, including the UltraPulse, which is an important component of this treatment. When faced with a thick hypertrophic scar I prefer the depth of the UltraPulse to treat the thickness.  I am looking forward to this journey with Kim as we use this innovative technology to reduce her pain and improve the appearance of her scars.”  

As part of the ongoing treatment for Phuc, Dr. Waibel is using the Lumenis UltraPulse®, the most powerful CO2 laser system for medical aesthetic applications, with the unique SCAARFX mode for scar revision that makes it highly effective for deep scars. Used in similar humanitarian initiatives in many countries around the world, the UltraPulse is considered the standard of care for treating soldiers injured in battle, for example in the VA and DoD hospitals in the US.

“Lumenis is honored to be a part of Mrs. Phuc’s laser therapy journey,” said Tzipi Ozer-Armon, CEO of Lumenis. “It is very moving to see our lasers being used to enhance the quality of life for our patients, especially in situations like this, with innocent victims of war. I am very thankful to Dr. Waibel for her ongoing commitment to such important causes.”