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An update on lasers in children
1Department of Pediatric Dermatology, Hospital de Pediatria Prof. Dr J.P. Garrahan, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. mariacordisco2000@gmail.com
Insights
Laser treatments offer new ways to manage pediatric skin conditions like pigmented and vascular lesions. Research explores advanced therapies and lasers for challenging cases, improving treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and dermatologic surgery advancements.
- Pediatric dermatology and laser therapeutics.
Background:
- Emerging laser treatment indications in dermatology.
- Opportunities for managing pediatric skin conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review current trends and limitations of laser treatments for pediatric pigmented and vascular lesions.
- Assess advancements in managing challenging skin conditions with lasers.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on laser treatments for skin conditions.
- Analysis of therapeutic modalities for port wine stain and pigmented lesions.
Main Results:
- Pulsed dye laser is standard for port wine stain; resistant cases require new approaches like photodynamic therapy.
- Erbium-doped fiber laser (1550 nm) shows potential for Becker's nevus.
- Advancements allow safe laser management of diverse conditions including vascular/pigmented lesions, psoriasis, eczema, keloids, and hypertrichosis.
Conclusions:
- Dermatology has significantly evolved with technological acquisitions since 1960.
- Lasers provide safe and effective management for a wide range of skin conditions in pediatric patients.
- Ongoing research promises improved outcomes for difficult-to-treat lesions.
Purpose Of Review:
A variety of new indications for laser treatment have been raised in the dermatology field recently. They offer significant opportunities to manage a large spectrum of conditions in the pediatric population. Therefore, it is necessary to know the current trends and limitations of their use for the treatment of pigmented and vascular lesions.
Recent Findings:
The pulsed dye laser for port wine stain treatment remains the gold standard. However, pulsed dye laser-resistant port wine stain constitutes a difficult management problem. New therapeutic modalities such as photodynamic therapy and the application of different topical angiogenesis inhibitors promise better results in avoiding port wine stain redarkening. The potential systemic effects also require further study. Traditionally, the Q-switched pigmented laser has been used for pigmented lesions. However, the 1550 nm wavelength erbium-doped fiber laser could be a new modality of treatment for Becker's nevus.
Summary:
Since the development of the first laser in 1960, dermatology and dermatologic surgery have rapidly evolved over the last two decades, thanks to the numerous technological and scientific acquisitions focused on improvement in the treatment of skin conditions. A large spectrum of vascular and pigmented lesions and other conditions such as chronic inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis and eczema, keloids and hypertrichosis, are now managed safely with laser treatment.
