ABSTRACT
References 353
1. INTRODUCTION
The long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser has gained increasing popularity over recent years
for treatment of both vascular and pigmented lesions as well as skin rejuvenation.
The advantages of the 1064 nm wavelength are its deeply penetrating wavelength coupled
with its hemoglobin absorption and to a lesser extent, water, and melanin absorption. Vas-
cular lesions presently treated with the long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser include facial and leg
telangiectasia, venulectasia and veins, spider and acquired angiomas, venous lakes, and
larger vessel vascular malformations. Hair removal is another application of long
pulsed Nd:YAG lasers which exhibit high safety profiles in the treatment of Fitzpatrick
phototypes IV-VI as well as suntanned skin. The 1064 nm lasers are also being employed
for rejuvenation of photodamaged skin based on their ability to heat dermal water and
stimulate collagen production.
