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Selective photothermolysis is a procedure used in dermatology and cosmetics to treat specific structures in the skin without damaging the surrounding tissue. The term is made up of the words “photo” (light), “thermo” (heat) and “lysis” (destruction).
In selective photothermolysis, a special laser or an intense pulsed light source(IPL) is used to direct light energy onto the skin. The wavelength of the light is chosen so that it selectively addresses specific target structures (chromophores) such as melanin (for hair and pigment spots) or hemoglobin (for blood vessels). The absorbed light is converted into heat, which destroys the target structure while the surrounding tissue remains largely undamaged.
This procedure is used in various areas. On the one hand, selective photothermolysis is used to permanently reduce unwanted hair growth by destroying the hair follicles. Secondly, it is used to treat pigmentation disorders by removing age spots or other hyperpigmentation. It is also used to treat vascular anomalies such as spider veins or hemangiomas.
Selective photothermolysis thus enables the targeted and effective treatment of aesthetic and medical skin problems by ensuring the precise destruction of specific target structures without causing major damage to the surrounding tissue.
