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Laser Treatments in Dermatology and
Cosmetology
Dr.Radha
Lachhiramani, MBBS; DCD (UK), MS (Clinical Dematology, UK)
Laser
Treatments in Dermatology and Cosmetology is gaining
popularity day by day. The experienced cosmetologists and
dermatologists at CosmoLaser Sharjah pride ourself in
providing the latest state of the art laser technology for
the treatment of many cosmetic problems.
WHAT IS
LASER?
Most people know the word
laser, but do they know what it really is? A laser is an
electronic-optical device that produces coherent
radiation. The term "laser" is an acronym for "Light
Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”
Stimulated emission, the
basis of a laser beam, was first proposed in 1917, by
Albert Einstein.
In 1954, American physicist
Charles Townes created a device that amplified microwaves
(an invisible form of radiation). The device was called a
maser, because it was Microwave Amplification by
Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
In 1960 American physicist
Theodore Maiman built the first working laser with a ruby
rod as the active medium, with a spiral lamp as the power
source. Iranian-born American physicist Ali Javan built a
helium-neon laser a year later. In 1966 a liquid laser was
constructed by the American physicist Peter Sorokin.
USES OF
LASER IN DERMATOLOGY AND COSMETOLOGY
At first the laser had a few
uses, but it was often referred to by scientists as a
‘solution looking for a problem’. This opinion has changed
today however, as lasers are amongst the most important
pieces of technology in modern life
Lasers are used in
Dermatology and Cosmetology for the following purposes
1. Hair removal – Laser hair removal is the
most efficient method of long term hair reduction
currently available. Laser treatment usually produce
complete (zero regrowing hairs) but temporary hair loss
for 1-3 months followed by partial but permanent hair
loss. There I noticeable difference in the number of
growing hair and regrowing hairs are thinner and lighter
due to miniaturization of hair follicles.
2.
Vascular lesions - birth marks, telengiectasias,
leg veins, spider veins- laser targets hemoglobin to
destroy the blood vessels.
3. Pigmented lesions- sun spots, moles,
melasma, freckles, age spots – pigmented lesions basically
are categorized according to location of melanin
– superficial or deep in the skin. Patient’s skin
type, depth , location duration of the lesion is important
in considering which wavelength of laser may be suitable
for a particular patient.
4. Excisional surgery- lasers have gained
popularity since they create a bloodless field while
operating on skin tumors as compared to conventional
surgeries and can be operated with ease. There is also
less post operative pain due to sealing of nerve endings.
. Patients with bleeding disorders where surgical
instruments can not be used can be easily operated with
lasers
5. Resurfacing – lasers are widely used now
to treat a variety of benign tumors
6. Tattoo removal- Specialized lasers are now
available for laser removal of tattoos
7. Psoriasis- A number of lasers have been
found to be useful in treatment of psoriasis and every
laser has a different mechanism by which it works.
8. Vitiligo-
It has been found
to be useful in
treatment of vitiligo.
Initial pigmentation usually is observed by as
early as 4-8 weeks. 10-15 treatments may be required to
treat the white spots.
9. Acne and its scars- Laser helps acne scars
by causing collagen production and cell remodeling thereby
resulting in improvement of acne scars.
10.
Hypertrophic scars, keloids and striae-
These can be excised or resurfaced with the help of
lasers. Striae requires 1-2 treatments and hypertrophic
scars responds to 2-4 sessions.
11. Non ablative
resurfacing – Rhytides, irregular pigmentation,
rough skin texture etc.- lasers help by causing minimal
damage to superficial skin and healing of wound to the
deeper skin helps smoothen the texture and causes collgen
remodeling Repeated treatments at 2-4 weeks interval are
given till desires results are achieved. Results are
gradual but patient compliance and acceptability is good
12.
Warts –
These are common viral growths occurring
over the fingers , toes, or even genital areas. Lasers
help these lesions by causing cell death and resurfacing.
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