Laser in dermoaesthetics

There are three components that have a specific capacity to absorb the laser: hemoglobin (blood element that transports oxygen), water and melanin (substance that pigments the skin). They are called chromophores.

These targets capture light to a greater extent and this is transformed into heat. When a temperature of about 100 degrees Celsius is reached, the target is vaporized.

This phenomenon is known as photothermolysis and is the mechanism of action of this form of energy. To reach the different therapeutic objectives, the laser points at one chromophore or another.

To coagulate and eliminate epidermal vascular lesions, such as angiomas (red, blue or purple birthmarks) or spider veins, couperose or even some varicose veins and scars, the target is hemoglobin.

The target is melanin when it comes to treating pigmentation disorders: sun spots, age spots (lentigines), tattoos (colored inks also capture laser light) and hair, since hair follicles also produce this coloring substance.

Vaporizing water is the goal when you want to rejuvenate your face. In this case, the superficial layer of the skin (the epidermis) is burned and the formation of new skin tissue is promoted (ablative remodeling).

It is also possible to use a laser that penetrates deeper and stimulates the production of collagen without eliminating the epidermis (non-ablative remodeling), although the results of this less aggressive technique are not perceptible until after more than a year.

In theory, aiming at these targets seems simple. But in practice, it is not so simple. To prevent thermal damage from injuring other areas and producing burns, scars or alterations in skin color, the wavelength, duration and surface area of the emission must be modulated. In this way, the tissue is more or less penetrated and the objective is reached while respecting other structures.