Application of Lasers in Cosmetology

Laser technology is becoming more and more popular in modern medicine. The effect of

laser light interaction with a living organism is a resultant of both the physical properties of

emitted light and physicochemical properties of affected cells. Therefore, there is a variety

of final therepeutic results. The underlying mechanisms of such interaction differ from the

impact of laser radiation on inanimate, physical objects. In the case of living matter, a final

effect depends on such laser light parameters as it's intersity, wavelength, irradiation time,

and cross-sectional area of an incident beam while the properties of an irradiated biological

object include the magnitude of absorption and dispersion coefficients, medium density as

well as it's specific heat and heat conductivity. Furtheremore, as far as living organisms are

concerned, the flow of blood and lymph plays an important role. These fluids help carrying

away the heat from the irradiated region of tissue and take part in „systemic transmission”

of certain chemical species such as singlet oxygen and nitrogen monoxide. Laser red light

induces their liberation from haemoglobin decomposition products, while the blood and

lymph flow bring about „systemic” effects that are observed in anatomically distant organs

and areas. Laser treatment encompasses facial skin stimulation by electromagnetic waves. It

could be applied in the form of spot or surface irradiation. Final therapeutic results include

improvement in blood and oxygen supply to the skin, an increase in the number of collagen

and elastic fibres, better water accumulation as well as regulation of the keratinization

process and pigment formation. The skin becomes more resilient and elastic (wrinkle

smoothening) and it retains more moisture. At the same time, dermal hyperpigmentation and

pigmented lesions disappear or fade away, hyperkeratosis abates, and skin pores tighten.

Desirable effects of the laser cure are observed after 10 to 20 sessions spaced out 2 - 3 days

apart. It is recommended to repeat the therapeutic procedure every 6 - 8 weeks in order to

maintain the results, A course of complete treatment may take place twice a year. However,

laser light interaction does not have anything in common with a miracle and the final effect

depends on many other factors such as application of after-care creams and giving up

harmful habits among the others. A proper therapeutic effects is awaited by both the

physicians and patients. It is a result of physicochemical interaction of laser rays with

biochemical structures, giving rise to altered cell properties and activity. Qualitative changes

at the beginning of the cure may bring about destructive effects (at first, reversible and later

on, irreversible) as intensity and energy of laser radiation are being increased. Under certain

circumstances, every type of such alterations may be considered as a therapeutic effect.

Interference of laser radiation with a living organism begins at a molecular level. Changes

that occur at this level induce alterations in activity of certain cellular structures. These

subsequently bring about alterations in cell functions that lead to some changes in a

particular organ and ultimately in the entire organism. Domination of a biochemical effect

over a thermal effect is referred to us the laser biostimulation. On the contrary, a coagulation

process takes place when thermal effects predominate-broadly speaking, it is so-called

„laser surgery”.

It has been so far observed a multitude of various biological changes resulting from the laser

irradiation. It is now known that such alterations perform the following functions:

•

they regulate the process of epidermis keratinization and moisturization,

•

facilitate

lymphatic

drainage,

stimulate collagen synthesis,

•

normalize melanocyte activity (cells producing melanine),

•

perform anti-inflammatory activity,

•

markedly stimulate hair and nail growth.

Nevertheless, it should be remembered that even now, the practice is ahead of the pure

science (the history of medical laser application is relatively short – it was introduced 45

years ago). Effective irradiation methods applied to treat an individual disease unit usually

turn out first, whereas biological mechanisms, responsible for particular therapeutic effects,

are elucidated much later and only fragmentarily.

Each laser may be used as a therapeutic device. Due to an enormous diversity of equipment

and it's influence on human organisms, all medical specialties make use of modern lasers to

treat a variety of disorders.