ABSTRACT
References 530
1. BACKGROUND
The use of the carbon dioxide laser in dermatology has greatly altered the path by which
we treat many skin diseases and understand wound healing processes. The carbon dioxide
laser emits far-infrared light at a wavelength of 10,600 nm and is absorbed by water.
Directing carbon dioxide laser light energy on skin results in a heating and vaporization
of intracellular water resulting in tissue vaporization. This tissue interaction can be
harnessed by mechanical and/or manual manipulations of the beam, allowing for predictable vaporization. Carbon dioxide laser systems have been shown to be quite
