Laser Treatment — Procedure Guide, Recovery & Risks | MyMedicPlus

Laser treatment uses focused light beams to treat medical and cosmetic conditions affecting the skin, eyes, veins, or internal tissues, ranging from resurfacing and hair removal to tumour ablation and vision correction.

Medical lasers treat vascular lesions, port-wine stains, tattoo removal, photodynamic cancer therapy, kidney stones, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and benign prostatic hyperplasia, among many applications.

The target area is exposed to a specific laser wavelength matched to the chromophore being treated. Pulse duration, energy density, and spot size are calibrated to selectively damage the target while sparing surrounding tissue.

Recovery depends on application: vascular laser leaves purpura for 1–2 weeks; tattoo removal produces temporary blistering; surgical laser ablation of tumours requires standard post-surgical monitoring and wound care.

Risks vary by application and include burns, pigmentation changes, scarring, infection, and inadvertent damage to adjacent structures. Correct wavelength selection and operator training are critical safety factors.

Laser treatments achieve 60–95% success rates depending on the indication. Vascular lesions clear in 1–4 sessions; tattoos require 5–15 sessions. Ophthalmologic lasers preserve or restore vision in 85–95% of cases.