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The Argon Laser in Dermatotherapy

  • Conference paper
Lasers in Dermatology

Abstract

The argon laser is a continuous wave system and emits visible blue and green light (488 and 515 nm), that is absorbed in melanin and hemoglobin (43) (Fig. 1). The argon laser is therefore suitable for coagulation of vascular and melanin pigmented skin lesions, resulting in rather unspecific epidermal and dermal damage. Applying relatively short pulses (−0.3 sec) the depth of coagulation is limited to about 1 mm (4, 33, 34, 57). Additionally vessel specificity of argon laser action can be increased by application of shorter laser pulses (62). Cooling the skin surface during laser irradiation reduces epidermal damage and makes possible longer exposure times resulting in a depth of coagulation up to 3.6 mm (31, 37, 46 – 48).

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  1. Dermatologische Klinik und Poliklinik, der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Frauenlobstrasse 9–11, W-8000, München, Fed. Rep. of Germany

    M. Landthaler, U. Hohenleutner, G. Donhauser & O. Braun-Falco

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  2. U. Hohenleutner
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  3. G. Donhauser
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  4. O. Braun-Falco
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  1. Institut für Lasertechnologien in der Medizin an, der Universität Ulm, Helmholtzstrasse 12, Postfach 4066, W-7900, Ulm, Fed. Rep. of Germany

    Rudolf Steiner

  2. Dermatologische Klinik, der Universität Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 40, W-7900, Ulm, Fed. Rep. of Germany

    Roland Kaufmann

  3. Dermatologische Klinik und Poliklinik, der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Frauenlobstrasse 9–11, W-8000, München 2, Fed. Rep. of Germany

    Michael Landthaler  & Otto Braun-Falco  & 

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Landthaler, M., Hohenleutner, U., Donhauser, G., Braun-Falco, O. (1991). The Argon Laser in Dermatotherapy. In: Steiner, R., Kaufmann, R., Landthaler, M., Braun-Falco, O. (eds) Lasers in Dermatology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-75201-8_4

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