Laser In Pediatric Dermatology: How Does It Work?
Nowadays, the laser in pediatric dermatology is very popular, as well as in a variety of other areas. A laser is a device that emits a very powerful beam of light. This device concentrates the light in a very dense beam, which greatly intensifies its effectiveness. In the following lines we provide you with more information on this.
How does a laser work?
A laser device represents an application of quantum mechanics and is capable of generating a beam of light with controlled size, shape and direction.
In general, light rays, for example when they come from the sun, travel in a radial direction with respect to their source and decrease with distance. A laser, on the other hand, represents a light source that travels in a straight line and its energy hardly decreases with distance.
The key difference that distinguishes laser from pulsed light (IPL) is the type of light. Pulsed light provides a broad spectrum of polychromatic light, while laser is a coherent monochromatic light source.
In the field of pediatric dermatology, the laser allows you to focus a large amount of energy on a point of the skin. For this reason, the professional laser allows you to achieve fast results.
The laser in pediatric dermatology
One of the most important tools in the treatment of dermatological diseases in pediatrics is the laser to promote healing. This technique improves both the appearance and the symptoms.
In pediatric dermatology, the laser reduces the abnormal excess of blood vessels that form red scars. It also achieves this effect on congenital birthmarks that lie beneath the surface of the skin, causing a reduction in reddish discoloration.
The CO2 laser
Currently the ablative and fractional laser, also known as carbon dioxide or CO2 laser, allows specialists to locate the thick and fibrous collagen of contracted and hypertrophic scars.
This is achieved through the creation of thousands of small holes made on the surface and the matter of the scar, while leaving the adjacent areas intact. The ablative and fractional laser is used to treat the different characteristics of hypertrophic scars.
This procedure softens and slims the scar tissue, giving it elasticity. Small focal lesions of the epidermis and dermis make the surface more uniform and correct some pigmentation abnormalities.
The results allow for an important improvement in terms of quality and appearance of skin grafts, as well as for scars caused by a burn.
Advantages of laser treatment in pediatric dermatology
Ease of execution is one of the most significant advantages of laser treatments in pediatric dermatology. Patients receive laser treatment in the form of outpatient surgery, which gives continuity to the treatment without causing interference with the child’s school and social life.
It is thus possible to avoid or reduce hospitalizations, as well as surgical damage, bleeding and postoperative pain. Furthermore, the healing process is accelerated.
Prevention of scar formation
Scars are an essential element of the healing process. They restore the integrity of the skin, but at the same time they can cause the appearance of symptoms and are often unsightly once the wound has closed.
Scars, including keloid scars, form as a result of burns, cuts and surgery, but also as a result of certain diseases, such as acne. When a wound closes, a scar is formed that is visible to the naked eye.
This phenomenon is due to the fact that the scar tissue, unlike the natural skin tissue, does not regenerate all the components of normal skin, therefore it has a different appearance.
When a child suffers from severe severe burns, the epidermis and dermis of normal skin are destroyed. The wound closes, producing fibrous collagen that forms the scar.
In conclusion
The laser in pediatric dermatology represents a fundamental tool to accelerate healing in the case of diseases or dermatological lesions. It does not just improve its appearance, but helps to calm the symptoms if they occur.
