Abstract
The actual mechanism in the enhancement of lasers on wound healing has not been
reported. However, several theories have been suggested. One theory involves the
activation of photo-receptors within the mitochondria. Light energy is absorbed
by the respiratory chain, triggers a biochemical reaction that initiates the electron
transport to increase the amount of ATP, which eventually increases the cellular
metabolism and functions in the cells. However, this can only occur if there is sufficient amount of light energy to elicit changes in cell physiology. This effect was
demonstrated with a helium-neon laser set at 632.8 nm and also at 760 nm (11,12).
Another theory suggested that hemoglobin uses light energy at 660 nm to activate
iron
Table 2 Lasers and Their Applications
Laser Wavelength (nm) Mode Cutaneous applications
Argon 488=514 CW Vascular lesions
Argon-pumped
tunable dye
577=585 Quasi-CW Vascular lesions
Copper vapor 512 Quasi-CW Pigmented lesions, vascular lesions
Potassium-titanylphosphate
532 Quasi-CW Pigmented lesions, vascular lesions
Ruby 694 Pulsed=QS Pigmented lesions (birthmarks),
blue=black=green tattoos,
hair removal
Pulsed dye 585-600 Pulsed Pigmented lesions (birthmarks)
Alexandrite 720-850 Pulsed=QS Pigmented lesions, blue=black=green
tattoos, hair removal, leg veins
Diode 800 CW Hair removal, leg veins
1450 Long-pulsed Nonablative dermal remodeling, acne
Nd:YAG 1064 CW Pigmented lesions, blue=black tattoos
1064=1320 Long-pulsed Nonablative dermal remodeling, hair
removal, leg veins
Carbon dioxide 10,600 CW Actinic chelitis, verrucae, rhinophyma
Pulsed Ablative skin resurfacing, epidermal=
dermal lesions
Erbium:YAG 1540 Pulsed Nonablative dermal remodeling