title: Future directions in cutaneous laser surgery.
abstract: This article presents an overview of future trends in cutaneous laser therapy and technology. To enhance efficacy and specificity of treatment, new wavelengths directed at both old and new targets are on the horizon. New applications, including the use of lasers to aid in the detection of skin cancers and to enhance drug delivery, are being used and investigated. A trend toward combining different lasers and light sources to optimize results continues. Advancements in at-home devices have been made. Future applications will include waveforms beyond those in the visible light and infrared spectrum, such as microwaves, ultrasound waves, and radiofrequency.
authors.affiliation: Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, Groff, & Fabi, Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, 9339 Genesee Avenue, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. Electronic address: sfabi@gbkderm.com.
authors.forename: Sabrina Guillen
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Fabi
authors.forename: Andrei I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Metelitsa
mesh_terms: D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000639:trends*; D007911:Lentigo / Q000628:therapy; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000639:trends; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods
keywords: 1210 nm; 1565 nm; 1940 nm; Cutaneous lasers; Laser; Picosecond; Wavelength