Effect of epidermal pigmentation on selective vascular effects of pulsed laser

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Lasers Surg. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.1900040409· OSTI ID:5650399

Tan, O T; Kerschmann, R; Parrish, J A

The effect of epidermal pigmentation on the threshold exposure dose for inducing purpura with a tunable dye laser at 577 nm, 1.5 microseconds pulse duration, was studied in 21 human volunteers with varied genetically determined amounts of melanin. More laser energy was required to produce purpura as constitutive skin pigmentation increased. Histology showed that, in lighter skin, the laser threshold dose produced the most specific vascular injury with no disruption of surrounding structures. In more pigmented skin, damage occurred in the epidermal basal layer and very few changes were seen in blood vessels below.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
• OSTI ID: 5650399
• Journal Information: Lasers Surg. Med.; (United States), Vol. 4:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DYE LASERS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
EPIDERMIS
INJURIES
MAN
PURPURA
BLOOD VESSELS
LASER RADIATION
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE
MELANIN
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EPITHELIUM
HEMIC DISEASES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LASERS
LIQUID LASERS
MAMMALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PIGMENTS
PRIMATES
RADIATIONS
SAFETY STANDARDS
SKIN
STANDARDS
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects