title: History of lasers in dermatology.
abstract: In the 1950s, based on the theory of stimulating radiant energy published by Albert Einstein in 1916, the collaboration of physicists and electrical engineers, searching for monochromatic radiation to study the spectra of molecules, led to the invention of the first laser in 1960. Ophthalmologists and dermatologists were the first to study the biological effects and therapeutic possibilities of laser beams. The construction of new laser systems emitting energy at different wavelengths or with different durations, as well as the development of new concepts of the biomedical effects, led to its broad use in surgery in the treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions as well as cosmetic applications.
authors.affiliation: Institute and Museum of Medical History, University of Zurich and Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Geiges
mesh_terms: D003880:Dermatology / Q000266:history; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers / Q000266:history*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000601:surgery*