Lasers
Cosmetic Surgery - Plastic Surgery - Aesthetic Medicine - Reconstructive Surgery
The lasers used in medicine and surgery are of two types: continuous wave lasers that will induce mainly thermal and photochemical effects and pulsed lasers that will have photo ablative and electromechanical effects. As regards the choice of types of laser the current medical arsenal is vast and the great variety in both wavelength and mode of irradiation is perfectly adapted to the different conditions to be treated.
- The thermal effect of a laser goes from simple reversible damage (moderate hyperthermia) to coagulation and even charring. In this instance, the use of lasers allows haemostasis, tumour ablation or incision of tissues to be carried out.
- The photochemical effect of lasers will involve a range of chemical agents that are introduced into the treatment area and will play the role of photosensibilizers. The irradiation of laser light will cause lethal photochemical processes to occur. This laser photo chemotherapy is used in oncology and dermatology (psoriasis).
- The photo ablation effect of pulsed lasers causes volatilization of the treated tissue (ophthalmology).
- The electro-mechanic effect of lasers (a very powerful pulse causing a shock wave) causes very fast and localized mechanical ruptures to treated tissue (ophthalmology and urology).
Lasers are widely used in medicine and surgery and also
have a growing number of paramedical uses: hair removal, acne and
wrinkle treatment, treatment of surgical scars but also removal of
tattoos.
In aesthetic plastic surgery, laser technology is used in the form of
laser abrasion technology to achieve smoothing of the skin by thermal
abrasion (to remove superficial skin imperfections mostly related to
skin aging: wrinkles, scars, keratoses and age spots). It will
pulverize layers of the epidermis and dermis by inducing a superficial
second degree burn.
Laser hair removal is a paramedical aesthetic approach for achieving permanent hair removal.
The EkkyLite® laser, developed by the French photomedecine company
Ekkyo, is a new laser that could prevent and reduce skin scarring
immediately after wound closure on the whole body except the face.
To limit any risk of side effects, it is very important to turn to
skilled medical personnel, whatever the type of procedure we are to
undergo. Do not forget that laser treatment, performed for purely
aesthetic reasons, is a medical procedure carrying the risks related
to this type of procedure, even when carried out under the most
favourable conditions, that is to say by a qualified aesthetic plastic
surgeon. Without overstating the risk, a proportion of risks exist.