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Lasers in Dermatology

»What does the term “laser” stand for?
»What does “stimulated emission of radiation” mean?
»How is the light amplified in the laser system?
»What types of medium are used in laser systems?
»What are the special features of laser light?
»Why is monochromatic light useful?
»What is selective photothermolysis?
»What is an ablative laser?
»What is a nonablative laser?
»What is Q-switching?
»What is a fractional laser?
»How are the types of dermatologic lasers classified?
»What lasers have historic interest but are seldom used?
»What are the basic features of the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser?
»What are some uses for the standard carbon dioxide laser?
»How is the CO2 laser used for resurfacing?
»What precautions must be used with the CO2 laser?
»What are the basic features of the erbium:YAG laser?
»What are pulsed dye lasers?
»What is the flashlamp pulsed dye vascular lesion laser used to treat?
»What is nonablative resurfacing and how does a pulsed dye laser accomplish this?
»What are the disadvantages of the pulsed dye laser?
»What is an Nd:YAG laser?
»How are the long-pulsed Nd:YAG (1064-nm) lasers used?
»How are the long-pulsed KTP lasers used?
»How are the Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers used?
»What is the alexandrite laser?
»How are the alexandrite lasers used?
»What is the ruby laser?
»How are the ruby lasers used?
»What is a diode laser?
»How are the diode lasers used?
»What are nonablative fractional lasers, and for what are they used?
»What are ablative fractional lasers, and how are they used?
»What is an intense pulse light machine?
»What are IPL machines used to treat?
»Are there any risks for IPL use?
»What is radiofrequency resurfacing?
»Are there any risks with radiofrequency treatments?
»What new technologies will soon be available?

 
 
 

What are some uses for the standard carbon dioxide laser?

Treatment of warts has been the hallmark of CO2 laser therapy. Large plantar and periungual warts are effectively treated. The main advantage of CO2 laser treatment in these larger warts is the ability to decrease the bleeding during the laser excision and a slight decrease in scarring. Any benign lesion may be removed using CO2 laser but this is not a common method used in dermatology. CO2 lasers in a high-power focused mode are very effective at surgical cutting, especially in patients on anticoagulants or those with other bleeding disorders.

Olbricht SM: Use of the CO2 laser in dermatologic surgery, J Dermatol Surg Oncol 19:364–369, 1993.