Laser Treatments in Dermatology and Cosmetology
Dr.Radha Lachhiramani, MBBS; MD; 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 foundtobe useful in treatmentof 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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