title: 5. Update on lasers in dermatology.
abstract: A range of lasers with acceptably low rates of side effects is now available. Improved laser therapy has been made possible by combining wavelengths that are selectively absorbed by the target and pulses short enough to prevent heat transfer to surrounding tissue. Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers are useful for treating disorders of skin surface texture and topography (wrinkles, scars, sun damage, benign skin appendages and rhinophyma). Vascular lasers, such as the flashlamp-pumped dye laser, are particularly effective for treating port-wine stains, haemangiomas, telangiectasia, rosacea and spider naevi. Q-switched lasers, which allow ultrashort high intensity pulses, are effective for treating most tattoos and some benign pigmented lesions.
authors.affiliation: Skin and Cancer Foundation of Victoria, Melbourne, VIC.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bekhor
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013653:Tattooing