Current instrumentation in laser dermatology.

Early laser studies noting and assessing tissue reaction to laser energy have led to significant advances in dermatology. In clinical use are the argon, carbon dioxide, and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser systems. Current developments are to miniaturize the systems, shorten pulses, and combine various systems. Current applications include tumor, wart, condylomata acuminata, and port wine mark removal; vascular surgery; for diseases of the skin; and as an adjuvant to other surgical procedures. Laser surgery is, briefly, the use of various laser systems for dermatological surgery, including microsurgery. Laser dermatological medicine is the rapidly developing discipline essentially for diagnosis and for investigative studies in dermatologic photobiology.