Basic laser principles.
Skin diseases have been treated with lasers since the early 1960s. The three principal chromophores in the skin--hemoglobin, melanin, and water--have different absorption spectra that selectively absorb certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. A given wavelength and pulse duration will selectively treat a target containing a chromophore. The wide variety of lasers and their applications are discussed.
Herd
R M
RM
Department of Dermatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Dover
J S
JS
Arndt
K A
KA
D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D011874:Radiometry; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena