An update on lasers in children.
OBJECTIVE
A variety of new indications for laser treatment have been raised in the dermatology field recently. They offer significant opportunities to manage a large spectrum of conditions in the pediatric population. Therefore, it is necessary to know the current trends and limitations of their use for the treatment of pigmented and vascular lesions.


RESULTS
The pulsed dye laser for port wine stain treatment remains the gold standard. However, pulsed dye laser-resistant port wine stain constitutes a difficult management problem. New therapeutic modalities such as photodynamic therapy and the application of different topical angiogenesis inhibitors promise better results in avoiding port wine stain redarkening. The potential systemic effects also require further study. Traditionally, the Q-switched pigmented laser has been used for pigmented lesions. However, the 1550 nm wavelength erbium-doped fiber laser could be a new modality of treatment for Becker's nevus.


CONCLUSIONS
Since the development of the first laser in 1960, dermatology and dermatologic surgery have rapidly evolved over the last two decades, thanks to the numerous technological and scientific acquisitions focused on improvement in the treatment of skin conditions. A large spectrum of vascular and pigmented lesions and other conditions such as chronic inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis and eczema, keloids and hypertrichosis, are now managed safely with laser treatment.
Cordisco
Maria Rosa
MR
Department of Pediatric Dermatology, Hospital de Pediatria Prof. Dr J.P. Garrahan, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. mariacordisco2000@gmail.com
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009506:Nevus / Q000601:surgery*; D019339:Port-Wine Stain / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome