Laser Therapy: Targeted Chromophores and Laser Wavelength

Light technologies are widely used in medical and aesthetic clinics to get rid of a range of skin problems – from hyperpigmentation and wrinkles to acne scars and skin cancer. One of the brightest representatives of such technologies is laser therapy, the features of which estet-portal.com will tell about in this article.

Indications for the use of laser therapy in aesthetic medicine

unwanted hair;
vascular lesions, scarring and acne;
pigmented lesions (including tattoos);
skin rejuvenation;
varicose veins, spider veins.

Each laser machine is used for a specific application. Some of them are used to affect the surface of the skin, some – to act on deeper areas of the skin: bacteria and wrinkles on the surface of the skin, hair follicles located at its base, and sun damage in the middle part of the skin. Each laser system must have certain characteristics in order to provide the necessary effect on the area of the skin located at a certain depth.

Chromophores and laser wavelengths for various applications

The molecules in the skin contain substances called chromophores – they are responsible for the color of molecules and absorb light. If the skin is exposed to a light wave, it is selectively directed to certain chromophores that absorb it. The light is then converted into thermal energy needed to destroy certain chromophores. The mode of action of the wave is determined by the depth of its penetration into the skin. That is why waves of different lengths with different absorption coefficients are used to influence chromophores located at different depths.

There are three types of chromophores in human skin that are associated with different indications for lasers:

Hemoglobin – target chromophore for vascular lesions: port-wine stains, hemangiomas, rosacea, facial telangiectasias, spider hemangiomas, senile angiomas, acne scarring and warts.
Melanin – targeted chromophore for unwanted hair and pigmentation disorders: freckles, sun lentigo, coffee spots and nevi of Ota.
Water – target chromophore for skin rejuvenation: lines and wrinkles.

In skin rejuvenation, lasers are used to affect the water in the dermis layer. Such water absorbs light at a longer wavelength and triggers a cellular reaction, which in turn stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which provide firmness and smoothness to the skin.

The light produced by a laser is called coherent. Therefore, lasers are able to concentrate light very well, which ensures its effective penetration into the skin. The laser light beam is highly concentrated, so it is applied for only a few milliseconds or nanoseconds, which means it does not damage the surrounding tissue or cause side effects.

Indications, target chromophores and wavelengths of light

Vascular damage, chromophore – hemoglobin:

port wine stains

hemanglioma

rosacea 532 nm

telangiectasia on the face 542 nm

spider hemangioma 578 nm

senile angioma 585 nm

acne scars

warts

Pigmentation disorders, chromophore – melanin

; ; 532 nm

; ; 694 nm

freckles 755 nm

solar lentigo ; 1064 nm

coffee stains ; (deep damage)

nevi of Ota

Hair Removal ;

510 nm

; ; 694 nm

; ; 755 nm

; ; 1064 nm

Skin rejuvenation, chromophore – water

thin lines ; 2940 nm

wrinkles 10600 nm

Thus, when choosing the wavelength of laser radiation, it is necessary to take into account the problem for which laser therapy is used to eliminate. Depending on the target chromophore, the required depth of exposure to laser radiation and its wavelength are selected. The correct use of lasers will ensure maximum results in the elimination of aesthetic skin problems.