Dye-enhanced diode laser photothermal ablation of skin.

Abstract

Near-infrared diode lasers are promising new light sources. However, their applications for rapid and precise removal of tissue is limited because their radiation is poorly absorbed by most tissue. Our purpose was to determine the interaction of diode laser radiation with tissue by topically applying absorbing dye to enhance laser-tissue interaction and to examine the ability of this approach to create superficial and localized thermal effects in skin. Immediate and long-term responses of guinea pig skin to low-power (3 to 5 W X 1 sec) diode laser (805 nm) irradiation in conjunction with indocyanine green as a dye were studied. Tissue response was characterized on the basis of gross and histopathologic analysis of biopsy specimens taken at different times. The observed depths of thermal damage with dye were greater than those produced by diode laser used alone at higher power settings (10 W X 1 sec). Interaction of diode laser radiation enhanced by topical application of dye causes localized superficial thermal effects in skin. This may offer a new modality in the treatment of superficial lesions.