Overview of lasers in dermatology

Research over the last 40 years has provided information on laser-tissue interactions and led to the development of many lasers used for a variety of dermatologic procedures. In this review, we discuss the current state of laser use in dermatology including the treatment of vascular lesions, tattoo removal, treatment of pigmented lesions, hair removal and laser skin resurfacing. In addition, we note several issues which need to be addressed in order to achieve an improved therapeutic outcome without adverse effects