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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 types of medium are used in laser systems?

The ability of an atom to be used in a laser system is a complicated function of quantum mechanics and the physical characteristics of the lattice in which it is constructed. The basic requirement of any medium is to be able to support a population inversion so that there may be stimulated emission. Some types of lasers include the following:

Solids: Ruby crystal: composed of aluminum oxide (Al₃O₂) with scattered atoms of chromium (Cr) replacing some aluminum atoms in the crystal lattice
Gases: Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
Dyes: Fluorescent liquid dye (often rhodamine)
Other: Electrical diodes