3 Fields in Which Laser Technology is Revolutionizing Skin Treatments

3 Fields in Which Laser Technology is Revolutionizing Skin Treatments

MedTech Outlook | Tuesday, August 27, 2019

The advancements in laser technology have fueled significant progress in the treatment of various medical and aesthetic skin conditions.

FREMONT, CA – The laser technology has changed the landscape of medical and aesthetic dermatology, introducing new and robust capabilities. The innovation in this field has led to the development of specialized laser devices designed for the treatment of various conditions, including skin resurfacing, non-invasive body contouring, hair and tattoo removal, treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions, among others.

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The three areas where laser technology is transforming dermatology practices:

Skin Resurfacing

Pulsed laser technology is used to target water absorption at longer wavelengths to head tissue and conduct controlled ablative and nonablative damage to upper skin layers. The treatment includes wrinkle reduction, solar lentigines treatment, and acne reduction, and enhancement of vascular lesion appearance.

Laser skin resurfacing has witnessed significant evolution since the development of the CO2 laser system, which is leveraged for the treatment of atrophic acne scars and facial rhytides. The light emitted by the laser is absorbed by intracellular water, leading to tissue heating and vaporization. Discrete areas of tissue vaporization are produced, leading to minimization of thermal injury to the surrounding tissue, which can be associated with scarring and hypopigmentation.

The introduction of erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser enabled practitioners to conduct controlled skin ablation with minimal thermal injury, leading to quicker postoperative healing and fewer side effects. The most popular applications of CO2 and Er:YAG ablative lasers have been in facial rejuvenation, atrophic acne, and traumatic scars.

The development of nonablative laser systems such as a diode, erbium:glass, and intense pulsed light (IPL) has led to the reduction of adverse effects caused by ablative laser resurfacing. These systems target dermal water, causing collagen heating and dermal remodeling. It is widely used in the treatment of facial and nonfacial rhytides and scars.

Hair Removal

Several lasers and IPL devices in the market enable safe and lasting hair removal from the desired location on the body. The systems emit infrared light of specific wavelengths to target melanin in the hair shaft, follicular epithelium, and hair matrix. The incorporation of concomitant epidermal cooling sources enables the minimization of unwanted thermal injury during treatment.

The laser targets the follicular stem cells located in the dermal papilla of the hair follicle. The amount of melanin in the stem cells may vary from patient to patient. Hence, the duration of pulse for heat diffusion from the follicular shaft to the end-target might also differ. The utilization of laser systems such as LP ruby, alexandrite, diode, and Nd:YAG lasers have ensured long-lasting hair reduction with less adverse side effects.

Although one treatment is sufficient for hair reduction, multiple treatment sessions can significantly improve clinical outcomes. The adverse affects post-operation might include blistering, crusting, dyspigmentation, and even scarring. Hence, it is crucial to select the appropriate laser systems when treating patients with varying melanin levels.

Vascular Lesions

Laser and IPL systems have greatly enhanced the treatment of vascular lesions. The systems are capable of precisely targeting oxyhemoglobin, which absorbs the light and converts it to heat, thus causing coagulation and vessel closure. The most efficient vascular laser leveraged in the treatment of lesions includes a diode, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), pulsed dye laser, and alexandrite.

Vascular laser systems, such as potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) are useful in the treatment of superficial vascular lesions. Although postoperative purpura and erythema are minimized, the adverse effects include erythema, edema, and crusting. The KTP lasers have also shown high efficiency in the treatment of small vessels.

The high clinical effectiveness and lesser adverse effects have made Pulsed dye laser (PDL) a favored laser technology when it comes to the treatment of lesions involving blood vessels. It facilitates rapid treatment of larger areas. The dynamic freezing capability of PDL enhances comfort during treatment, enabling safe and effective treatment under high energy.

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