Technological Advancements in Lasers

Since the first use of lasersLasers in dermatology in 1963, laser technologyTechnology has become widely utilized for medical and cosmetic treatments. Selecting the proper laser, wavelength, pulse, and fluence depends on factors including patients’ Fitzpatrick skin type and clinical diagnoses. This chapter explores the fundamentals of lasers, including an overview of types of lasers used in dermatology, components of lasers, and key principles of Q-switching, population inversion, and selective photothermolysis. Common clinical applications of lasersLasers in dermatologyDermatology include treatment of acne, scars, and vascular lesions. Neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasersLasers are best used for acne treatment. Hypertrophic scars, acne scars, and burn scars may be targeted with 585 and 595-nm pulsed dye lasers (PDL). PDL selectively targets hemoglobin and therefore is also the laser of choice for vascular lesions. Cosmetic uses of lasers include hair removal, tattoo removal, and skin resurfacing. Diode lasers (810 nm) are preferred over Nd:YAG for hair removal due to their high efficacy and low rates of adverse effects, especially in skin of colorSkin of color. Erbium:yttrium aluminum garnetErbiumyttrium aluminum garnet (ErYAG) (Er:YAG) (2940 nm) and fractional carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide (CO) (CO2) (10,600 nm) lasers are commonly used for skin resurfacing. The type of laser used for tattoo removal varies depending on the color(s) of tattoo pigment involved. The development of fractional lasers and other technological advancements have improved the safety profile of lasersLasers and decreased the healing time for patients. Further researchResearch on novel applications of lasers holds promise in treating alopeciaAlopecia, cellulite, onychomycosis, and hyperhidrosis.