Skip to main content

Prevention and Treatment of Laser Complications

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Lasers in Dermatology and Medicine

Abstract

Lasers are useful for treating a variety of dermatologic conditions but have a number of potential complications associated with their use. A basic understanding of laser mechanics is paramount in preventing and troubleshooting compli­cations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Goldman L, Blaney DJ, Kindel DJ Jr, et al. Pathology of the effect of the laser beam on the skin. Nature. 1963;197:912-914.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Tanzi EL, Lupton JR, Alster TS. Lasers in dermatology: four decades of progress. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;49:1-31; quiz 31-34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Anderson RR, Parrish JA. Selective photothermolysis: precise microsurgery by selective absorption of pulsed radiation. Science. 1983;220:524-527.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Anderson RR. Lasers in dermatology – a critical update. J Dermatol. 2000;27:700-705.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Nelson JS, Majaron B, Kelly KM. Active skin cooling in conjunction with laser dermatologic surgery. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2000;19:253-266.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Sawchuk WS, Weber PJ, Lowy DR, et al. Infectious papillomavirus in the vapor of warts treated with carbon dioxide laser or electrocoagulation: detection and protection. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1989;21:41-49.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Baggish MS, Poiesz BJ, Joret D, et al. Presence of human immunodeficiency virus DNA in laser smoke. Lasers Surg Med. 1991;11:197-203.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Barkana Y, Belkin M. Laser eye injuries. Surv Ophthalmol. 2000;44:459-478.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Isenhath S, Willey A, Bouzari N, et al. Complications in Derma­tologic Surgery, Mosby Elsevier, Philadelphia, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Sliney D, Aron-Rosa D, DeLori F, et al. Adjustment of guidelines for exposure of the eye to optical radiation from ocular instruments: statement from a task group of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Appl Opt. 2005;44:2162-2176.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Greve B, Raulin C. Professional errors caused by lasers and intense pulsed light technology in dermatology and aesthetic medicine: preventive strategies and case studies. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28:156-161.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Dawson E, Willey A, Lee K. Adverse events associated with nonablative cutaneous laser, radiofrequency, and light-based devices. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2007;26:15-21.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Wolfe JT, Weinberg JM, Elenitsas R, et al. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus following laser-induced thermal injury. Arch Dermatol. 1997;133:392-393.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Kuhn A, Becker-Wegerich PM, Ruzicka T, et al. Successful treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus with argon laser. Dermatology. 2000;201:175-177.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Haedersdal M, Poulsen T, Wulf HC. Laser induced wounds and scarring modified by antiinflammatory drugs: a murine model. Lasers Surg Med. 1993;13:55-61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Rubenstein R, Roenigk HH Jr, Stegman SJ, et al. Atypical keloids after dermabrasion of patients taking isotretinoin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1986;15:280-285.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Khatri KA. Diode laser hair removal in patients undergoing isotretinoin therapy. Dermatol Surg. 2004;30:1205-1207; discussion 1207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Khatri KA, Garcia V. Light-assisted hair removal in patients undergoing isotretinoin therapy. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32:875-877.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Alster T, Zaulyanov L. Laser scar revision: a review. Dermatol Surg. 2007;33:131-140.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Trotter MJ, Tron VA, Hollingdale J, et al. Localized chrysiasis induced by laser therapy. Arch Dermatol. 1995;131:1411-1414.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Baron ED, Harris L, Redpath WS, et al. Laser-assisted penetration of topical anesthetic in adults. Arch Dermatol. 2003;139:1288-1290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Chen JZ, Jacobson LG, Bakus AD, et al. Evaluation of the S-Caine peel for induction of local anesthesia for laser-assisted tattoo removal: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31:281-286.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Kilmer SL, Chotzen V, Zelickson BD, et al. Full-face laser resurfacing using a supplemented topical anesthesia protocol. Arch Dermatol. 2003;139:1279-1283.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Waldorf HA, Alster TS, McMillan K, et al. Effect of dynamic cooling on 585-nm pulsed dye laser treatment of port-wine stain birthmarks. Dermatol Surg. 1997;23:657-662.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Chan HH, Lam LK, Wong DS, et al. Role of skin cooling in improving patient tolerability of Q-switched Alexandrite (QS Alex) laser in nevus of Ota treatment. Lasers Surg Med. 2003;32:148-151.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Watanabe S, Kakigi R, Hoshiyama M, et al. Effects of noxious cooling of the skin on pain perception in man. J Neurol Sci. 1996;135:68-73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Nanni CA, Alster TS. Complications of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing. An evaluation of 500 patients. Dermatol Surg. 1998;24:315-320.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Alam M, Omura NE, Dover JS, et al. Clinically significant facial edema after extensive treatment with purpura-free pulsed-dye laser. Dermatol Surg. 2003;29:920-924.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Alster TS, Lupton JR. Prevention and treatment of side effects and complications of cutaneous laser resurfacing. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2002;109:308-316; discussion 317-318.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Alster TS, West TB. Effect of topical vitamin C on postoperative carbon dioxide laser resurfacing erythema. Dermatol Surg. 1998;24:331-334.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Wetter DA, Davis MD, Yiannias JA, et al. Patch test results from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 1998–2000. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;53:416-421.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Smack DP, Harrington AC, Dunn C, et al. Infection and allergy incidence in ambulatory surgery patients using white petrolatum vs bacitracin ointment. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 1996;276:972-977.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Lanigan SW. Patient-reported morbidity following flashlamp-pumped pulsed tunable dye laser treatment of port wine stains. Br J Dermatol. 1995;133:423-425.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Shah NS, Lazarus MC, Bugdodel R, et al. The effects of topical vitamin K on bruising after laser treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;47:241-244.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Alonso D, Lazarus MC, Baumann L. Effects of topical arnica gel on post-laser treatment bruises. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28:686-688.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Bernstein EF. Laser treatment of tattoos. Clin Dermatol. 2006;24:43-55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Ho C, Nguyen Q, Lowe NJ, et al. Laser resurfacing in pigmented skin. Dermatol Surg. 1995;21:1035-1037.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. West TB, Alster TS. Effect of pretreatment on the incidence of hyperpigmentation following cutaneous CO2 laser resurfacing. Dermatol Surg. 1999;25:15-17.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Willey A, Anderson RR, Azpiazu JL, et al. Complications of laser dermatologic surgery. Lasers Surg Med. 2006;38:1-15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Ross EV, Barnette DJ, Glatter RD, et al. Effects of overlap and pass number in CO2 laser skin resurfacing: a study of residual thermal damage, cell death, and wound healing. Lasers Surg Med. 1999;24:103-112.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Zurada JM, Kriegel D, Davis IC. Topical treatments for hypertrophic scars. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;55:1024-1031.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Alster T. Laser scar revision: comparison study of 585-nm pulsed dye laser with and without intralesional corticosteroids. Dermatol Surg. 2003;29:25-29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Asilian A, Darougheh A, Shariati F. New combination of triamcinolone, 5-Fluorouracil, and pulsed-dye laser for treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32:907-915.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Manuskiatti W, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Fitzpatrick RE. Effect of pulse width of a 595-nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser on the treatment response of keloidal and hypertrophic sternotomy scars. Dermatol Surg. 2007;33:152-161.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Alajlan A, Shapiro J, Rivers JK, et al. Paradoxical hypertrichosis after laser epilation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;53:85-88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Kontoes P, Vlachos S, Konstantinos M, et al. Hair induction after laser-assisted hair removal and its treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54:64-67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Grossman MC, Dierickx C, Farinelli W, et al. Damage to hair follicles by normal-mode ruby laser pulses. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1996;35:889-894.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Lapidoth M, Shafirstein G, Ben Amitai D, et al. Reticulate erythema following diode laser-assisted hair removal: a new side effect of a common procedure. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51:774-777.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Beeson WH, Rachel JD. Valacyclovir prophylaxis for herpes simplex virus infection or infection recurrence following laser skin resurfacing. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28:331-336.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Bellman B, Brandt FS, Holtmann M, et al. Infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after carbon dioxide resurfacing of the face. Successful treatment with minocycline, rifampin, and mupiricin ointment. Dermatol Surg. 1998;24:279-282.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Alam M, Pantanowitz L, Harton AM, et al. A prospective trial of fungal colonization after laser resurfacing of the face: correlation between culture positivity and symptoms of pruritus. Dermatol Surg. 2003;29:255-260.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Sriprachya-Anunt S, Fitzpatrick RE, Goldman MP, et al. Infections complicating pulsed carbon dioxide laser resurfacing for photoaged facial skin. Dermatol Surg. 1997;23:527-535; discussion 535-536.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Walia S, Alster TS. Cutaneous CO2 laser resurfacing infection rate with and without prophylactic antibiotics. Dermatol Surg. 1999;25:857-861.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Conn H, Nanda VS. Prophylactic fluconazole promotes reepithelialization in full-face carbon dioxide laser skin resurfacing. Lasers Surg Med. 2000;26:201-207.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Ashinoff R, Levine VJ, Soter NA. Allergic reactions to tattoo pigment after laser treatment. Dermatol Surg. 1995;21:291-294.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Bhardwaj SS, Brodell RT, Taylor JS. Red tattoo reactions. Contact Dermatitis. 2003;48:236-237.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Antony FC, Harland CC. Red ink tattoo reactions: successful treatment with the Q-switched 532 nm Nd:YAG laser. Br J Dermatol. 2003;149:94-98.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Dave R, Mahaffey PJ. Successful treatment of an allergic reaction in a red tattoo with the Nd-YAG laser. Br J Plast Surg. 2002;55:456.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Zemtsov A, Wilson L. CO2 laser treatment causes local tattoo allergic reaction to become generalized. Acta DermVenereol. 1997;77:497.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Taylor CR. Laser ignition of traumatically embedded firework debris. Lasers Surg Med. 1998;22:157-158.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Anderson RR, Geronemus R, Kilmer SL, et al. Cosmetic tattoo ink darkening. A complication of Q-switched and pulsed-laser treatment. Arch Dermatol. 1993;129:1010-1014.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Ross EV, Yashar S, Michaud N, et al. Tattoo darkening and nonresponse after laser treatment: a possible role for titanium dioxide. Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:33-37.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Varma S, Swanson NA, Lee KK. Tattoo ink darkening of a yellow tattoo after Q-switched laser treatment. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002;27:461-463.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Fitzpatrick RE, Lupton JR. Successful treatment of treatment-resistant laser-induced pigment darkening of a cosmetic tattoo. Lasers Surg Med. 2000;27:358-361.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Herbich GJ. Ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser treatment of an iron oxide flesh-colored tattoo. Dermatol Surg. 1997;23:60-61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Dinehart SM, Flock S, Waner M. Beam profile of the flashlamp pumped pulsed dye laser: support for overlap of exposure spots. Lasers Surg Med. 1994;15:277-280.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachael L. Moore .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Moore, R.L., Martinez, JC., Lee, K.K. (2011). Prevention and Treatment of Laser Complications. In: Nouri, K. (eds) Lasers in Dermatology and Medicine. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-281-0_29

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-281-0_29

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-85729-280-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-281-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics