Lasers in Dermatology

Choi, Jee Ho

Abstract

The basic concept of the laser was first described by Einstein in 1917. Laser is an acronym for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation". The applications of laser light to the field of medicine were begun in 1960s. Since that time there has been a great increase in the development of laser technology and in the understanding of laser-target tissue interactions. The theory of selective photothermolysis mans that a chromophore can be selectively damaged with a laser light of an appropriate wavelength and of a suitably short pulse duration that is shorter than the thermal relaxation time of the chromophore. The introduction of pulsed tunable dye lasers has considerably improved the treatment of vascular lesions, particularly light pink nevus flammeus in children. The argon pumped dye laser and copper vapor laser may be better for telangiectatic and the hypertrophic nevus flammeus often seen in adults. Since the Q-switched and pused green light lasers are capable of selective photothermolysis of melanosomes and tattoo dyes, their efficacy has been under investigation for the treatment of pigmented lesions. The automated delivery systems such as Hexascan produce a superior cosmetic result when compared with manual delivery of laser light and the risk of scarring is reduced. Further comparative study is needed to determine which lesions respond best to each laser system, and which treatment techniques are optimal. Treatment combining more than one of these laser systems may prove superior to any of them used alone.