ALEXANDRITE LASER SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT OF DERMATOLOGICAL SPECIMENS

摘要

A long pulse alexandrite laser for treating dermatological specimens is disclosed. The use of alexandrite allows operation in the near-infrared, specifically in a 50 nm range surrounding 755. Infrared in this range allows good penetration while still achieving an acceptable ratio of hemoglobin to melanin absorption. In operation, the laser generates pulses having a durations between 5 and 100 msec and fluences between 10 and 50 J/cm2. A light delivery system is provided that transmits the laser light output pulse to dermatological targets of a patient. The invention is also directed to a hair removal system. Here, it is desirable to use an index-matching application on the skin sections to be treated, and a visual indicator is thermo- or photoresponsive or otherwise responsive to the laser light pulse to generate a visible change. This provides the operator with a record of those parts of the skin that have already been treated. Finally, the invention is directed to a combined sclerotherapy and light treatment method and kit for unwanted veins. Substantially increased success, in the range of 90-100 % has been achieved by implementing a dwell time of between 12 hours and 6 months between the lightbased therapy and the sclerotherapy. Preferably, the light-based therapy is performed before the sclerotherapy. Success can be achieved by performing the sclerotherapy followed by the light-based therapy after the dwell time, however.