DermNet provides Google Translate, a free machine translation service. Note that this may not provide an exact translation in all languages
Home Topics A–Z Argon laser treatment
Author: Anoma Ranaweera, Medical Writer, Auckland, New Zealand, April 2016.
We would love your feedback. Fill out our anonymous user survey.
The term "LASER" denotes Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is a device that generates an intense beam of light. Laser light has three special qualities that distinguish it from the conventional light source.
Ordinary light from a lamp consists of a mixture of wavelengths radiating in different directions and out of phase.
The argon ion laser emits a specific wave length (488–514 nm) of blue-green light found in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. About 80% of the energy is at wavelengths of 488–514 nm
The excitation medium is the ionised argon gas in a sealed laser tube, which is excited by a direct current electrical discharge.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a range of argon laser machines for various skin disorders. These include The LASOS® Ar-Ion lasers (LASOS Lasertechnik, Germany), and Modulaser™ (Modulaser,Utah, USA). Individual machines are designed to treat specific skin problems.
The following skin disorders can be treated with argon laser beams.
Argon lasers are FDA approved for use in photodynamic therapy to treat actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
Side effects from argon laser treatment may include:
Books about skin diseases
© 2022 DermNet New Zealand Trust.
DermNet NZ does not provide an online consultation service. If you have any concerns with your skin or its treatment, see a dermatologist for advice.