ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION The use of lasers in clinical dermatology dates back more than 30 years with the initial use of continuous wave argon lasers and continuous wave CO2 lasers (1). The mid-to late 1980s and early 1990s produced an influx of lasers for dermatology, such as neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG), pulsed dye, and Q-switched lasers, which had significant efficacy (with certain side effects profiles) but were used by a more limited number of physicians (2-4). Clearly, the great wave of interest in lasers for both patients and physicians came during the mid 1990s with the advent of the ultrapulsed and scanned CO2 lasers (5).
