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Laser and IPL Technology in Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine pp 23–36Cite as

Laser-Tissue Interactions

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Abstract

Understanding laser-tissue interactions and using the laser in an optimal way are the most important messages in this chapter. The wavelength-dependent penetration depth of laser light into tissue determines heat flow and the thickness of the zone of necrosis. The concept of photothermolysis, introduced by Rox Anderson, improved specificity of laser-tissue interactions. Thermal lasers are used for tissue coagulation and vaporisation. For tissue ablation, high absorption of the laser light by the tissue is necessary, as is high power density of the laser pulse (>100 kW/cm²). Keep in mind that the shorter the laser pulse or the laser irradiation on the same spot, the smaller will be the zone of necrosis. Consider possible acoustic side effects with short and ultrashort laser pulses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Lasertechnologien in der Medizin und Meßtechnik an der Universität Ulm, Helmholtzstraße 12, 89081, Ulm, Germany

    Rudolf Steiner

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  1. Rudolf Steiner
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Correspondence to Rudolf Steiner .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laserklinik Karlsruhe, Kaiserstr. 104, Karlsruhe, 76133, Germany

    Christian Raulin

  2. Laserklinik Karlsruhe, Kaiserstr. 104, Karlsruhe, 76133, Germany

    Syrus Karsai

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© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Steiner, R. (2011). Laser-Tissue Interactions. In: Raulin, C., Karsai, S. (eds) Laser and IPL Technology in Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03438-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03438-1_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-03437-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-03438-1

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