ABSTRACT
References Laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers generate an intense beam of light energy in the form of photons that are synchronized in time and space, and usually share the same wavelength. The wavelength of the beam is formed when specific atoms are stimulated with either a light, radiofrequency, electrical, or chemical energy source. When these atoms return spontaneously to their stable state, they give off photons of energy with a wavelength specific to the excited molecule. This process is amplified by the use of reflective mirrors in a’laser tube’ or ‘resonating chamber’. The laser beam escapes the chamber when the energy of the stimulated amplified emission of photons reaches a certain threshold.1,2
Lasers have been used in dermatology for many different conditions ranging from vascular lesions, benign and malignant growths, to epidermal resurfacing. Several lasers have been used to treat warts, including the carbon dioxide laser, pulsed-dye laser, alexandrite laser, and erbium-YAG (yttrium-aluminumgarnet) laser. The carbon dioxide and flashlamp pulsed dye lasers have been used most in the treatment of warts and are the focus of this chapter.
