Lasers
Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is form of energy used in many medical conditions. Lasers have been known to be used in the field of Dermatology and Ophthalmology for a long time. Their indications in medicine is widening with more being known about its physics and safety profile. Lasers are classified according to their wavelength and their target molecule (chromophore) in the human body, which in-turn dictates its indication and usage to treat a particular medical indication.
Common types of Lasers used in Medicine
|
Sr. No.
|
Laser Type
|
Wavelentght (nm)
|
Chormophore
|
Common Indications
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
|
10,600
|
Water
|
Facial resurfacing, wrinkles, scars (post surgery/burn scar/acne scar etc), stretch marks, Wars/Mole removal
|
|
2
|
Erbium:Yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG)
|
2940
|
Water
|
Facial resurfacing, wrinkles, scars (post surgery/burn scar/acne scar etc), stretch marks, Wars/Mole removal
|
|
3
|
Neodyminum:Yttrium alunimun garnet (Nd:YAG)
|
1064
|
Melanin, tattoo pigment, deoxyhemoglobin
|
Tattoos, Birth marks due to abnormal blood vessels (vascular anomalies)
|
|
4
|
Diode
|
800
|
Melanin, deoxyhemoglobin
|
Laser Hair reduction, vascular anomalies
|
|
5
|
Alexandrite
|
755
|
Melanin, tattoo pigment, deoxyhemoglobin
|
Laser Hair reduction, vascular anomalies
|
|
6
|
Ruby
|
694
|
Melanin, tattoo pigment
|
Tattoo removal
|
|
7
|
Intense Pulse Light (IPL)
|
515, 560, 650
|
Oxyhemoglobin, Melanin
|
Vascular anomalies
|
What we offer at out Clinic
Fractional Carbon dioxide (CO2) Laser
The carbon dioxide laser has a wavelength of 10,600nm and has an absorbing chromophore of water. Fractional laser resurfacing treats the skin in small ‘fractions’ as linear columns of laser light vaporize the skin. This is in contrast to full field or traditional CO2 laser where entire area of skin is ablated/treated, making it more prone to complications. Depth of the laser in both depends on the power of the laser which is set up in the machine.
Fractional laser system has many advantages over the traditional full area treatment in that it leaves behind multiple intermittent areas of normal skin, which help in faster re-epithelization from spared skin appendages resulting in faster healing and thus decreasing the downtime of the treatment. It also avoids an open wound, thus reducing the chances of post procedure pigmentary disorder such as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) especially in Fitzpatrick Skin Types IV – VI (Indian Skin type).
Fractional CO2 laser has shown very promising results in improving skin texture, removing irregularities and wrinkles, reversing the photodamage of the skin by collagen and tissue remodeling.
Common indications of CO2 fractional laser are –
- Laser Skin resurfacing
- Wrinkles
- Acne Scars
- Burns Scars
- Stretch marks
- Warts and Mole removal
- Keloids
- Actinic keratosis
Machine at our clinic
We have the fractional CO2 laser machine by Alma Lasers GmbH – The Pixel CO2 machine. This machine is approved by US FDA. For further machine details, please visit – https://www.almalasers.co.in/alma-products/pixel-co2/
Benefits –
- Safe for delicate areas
- Precise and fast treatment
- Unique Pixel technology
- Adjustable treatment patters
- Exclusive non-ablative mode
- Versatile applicators for targeted approach
If you have more queries about Laser treatment and or you want to find out if the presently offered CO2 laser is right for you, please visit us or contact us. We will be happy to help.
Some common technical terminology used in Laser descriptions
Selective photothermolysis – Lasers selectively precisely targets and causes thermal damage without harming or with minimal harm to the surrounding tissue.
Fractional photo thermolysis – Lasers vaporize a very thin column of tissue causing minimal changes to the surrounding tissue. Depth of the column of tissue vaporized is proportional to the power of energy of the lasers.
Ablative and Non-ablative lasers – Ablative lasers vaporize tissue by boiling the water inside the individual cells, while non-ablative lasers heat the tissue without vaporization
Fluence: energy delivered per unit area of skin. (J/cm2)
Power: rate of energy delivered (W, watts)