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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?

How are the long-pulsed KTP lasers used?

This laser is primarily used to treat vascular lesions. Red vessels on the face respond the best. Leg veins do not appear to respond well to these lasers. The primary advantage over pulsed dye lasers is the lack of purpura after treatment. These lasers are seldom used today.

Goldberg DJ, Meine JG: A comparison of four frequency-doubled Nd:YAG (532 nm) laser systems for treatment of facial telangiectases, Dermatol Surg 25:463–467, 1999.

Massey RA, Katz BE: Successful treatment of spider leg veins with a high-energy, long-pulse, frequency-doubled neodymium:YAG laser (HELP-G), Dermatol Surg 25:677–680, 1999.