The Role of the CO2 Laser and Fractional CO2 Laser in Dermatology

Tremendous advances have been made in the use of the laser in medicine and surgery since the 1990s, and in the field of dermatology efficacy is now recognized in the treatment of angiomas, nevi of Ota, nevus spilus, telangiectasia, and so on, as well as against superficial pigmented lesions, including chloasma, ephelides, and senile lentigines: in fact, the laser is now the treatment of choice for many of these indications. As a benchmark of the acceptance of laser surgery and medicine, some diseases are now indications for the laser that qualify for reimbursement by the Japanese National Health Insurance System. The laser has also been recognized as effective in the treatment of common skin diseases, including but not limited to verruca vulgaris, verruca plantaris, verruca senilis, soft fibromas, condylomata acuminata, syringomas, common warts, vitiligo, leukoplakia, skin ulcers, ingrown toenails, and psoriasis vulgaris. Laser treatment is also used in the field of esthetic dermatology to treat alopecia and acne, and many devices designed for facial cosmesis to treat photo- and chronologically-aged skin, including wrinkles and sagging, have become available.