'Laser a dicey tool to sculpt skin with'

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman="" class="author">SOURAV SANYAL</span><br />CHANDIGARH: If you want to be fair and lovely and think it best to head for the neighbourhood clinic or beauty salon for hair removal and skin rejuvenation, think again. For, going by what experts say, "unethical" use of lasers for beauty therapy by those on the lookout for quick money might end up doing more damage than you can possibly think of.<br />Specialists of dermatologic surgery, who attended the conference of Association of Cutaneous Surgeons of India held here, brought this point to the fore.<br />That injudicious use of laser for cutaneous surgery and cosmetic purposes could prove fatal was highlighted by none other than the president of International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Dr A Camps-Fresneda.<br />Speaking to Times News Network, Dr Fresneda admitted that ''unethical practice'' of applying laser for procedures which can be done by other means can lead to grave side effects. <br />"There is no denying the fact that lasers hold the key to the future of surgery for skin disorders. However, it would be wrong to blindly apply laser in all procedures. Before applying laser, one needs to make sure that the right laser, which has the desired wavelength, has been selected for surgery. Not only do we have to select the target carefully, but also, it is imperative that the duration of the laser shoot is pre-decided," he said.<br />On the last day of the conference, on Sunday, Dr Minal Patwardhan, a specialist from United Arab Emirates, talked about the various errors which can occur during laser surgery. <br />"The drawback with lasers starts with choosing the right laser, cost of machine, its technical management, patient expectations, and then, the actual clinical drawbacks. Inappropriate use of laser not only leads to burning, crusting, post inflammatory changes and scarring but also cosmetic side effects at times," she said.<br />Talking of the diverse applications of lasers in dermatology, Dr Fresneda said, "Lasers have been used since ''60s with the tentative beginning of Ruby laser which made way for carbon dioxide laser in the ''80s. The great impact of lasers in dermatology really began with the introduction of selective lasers for vascular lesions in the late ''80s and early ''90s. Later, short pulses began to be used for pigmented lesions and tattoos. Lasers began to be used in removal of unwanted hair and treatment of superficial pigmented and vascular lesions like birth marks. Lasers also facilitate the improvement of collagen in the new way of skin rejuvenation and skin resurfacing by doing away with wrinkles, helping a person to look younger. The latest generation of lasers with a longer pulse are giving new opportunities to treat leg veins."<br />Signing off, he said, "One should not get lured by glossy advertisements and approach only experts to reap the benefits of laser." </div> </div>