Lasers are relatively new in the bio-medical world. In fact, when I talk of lasers, people usually think of high-tech weapons such as those in Austin Powers or Star Wars. The term “laser” is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Lasers were first used in medicine and dermatology in 1983 when the new concept of Selective Photothermolysis (SPTL) arose. SPTL enables us to localize thermal injury to the tissue being treated while minimizing collateral thermal damage to surrounding tissue. This new concept was originally designed in order to treat children with port wine stains and later developed to facilitate the removal of tattoos, benign pigmented lesions, and unwanted hair. As the science continued to develop, new uses for laser therapy began to emerge. Lasers are now utilized for a wide range of treatments including leg and facial vein removal, skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, and age and sun spots removal. Over the past few decades, advances in laser physics have shaped a new field in medicine known as laser dermatology.
Laser Nurse 