Lasers in the military for cutaneous disease and wound healing.

The clinical laser experience of military dermatologists mirrors that of their civilian counterparts; however, there are applications for lasers in dermatology in which there is special military relevance. These range from treatment of common diseases such as pseudofolliculitis barbae to noninvasive identification of shrapnel injuries on the battlefield using novel laser-based diagnostic techniques. Although some applications in this report are experimental, emerging technologies should allow for their clinical or field implementation in the near future.