KTP laser treatment

What is a To be?

The term LASER means light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers produce an intense beam of light of a particular color and wavelength that can vary in intensity and pulse duration.

Lasers can be used to treat various dermatological conditions depending on the wavelength, pulse characteristics, and fluence (energy output) of the laser.

A variety of lasers are available; They are differentiated by the means produced by the laser beam and the wavelength generated.

What is a KTP laser?

A KTP laser is a solidstate laser that uses a crystal of potassium phosphate titanate (KTP) as its frequency doubling device. The KTP crystal is trapped by a beam generated by a neodymium: yttrium garnet aluminum (Nd: YAG) laser. This is directed through the KTP crystal to produce a beam in the visible green spectrum with a wavelength of 532 nm.

How does a KTP laser work?

• The KTP laser works on the selective principle. photothermolysis.
• The selected wavelength of the laser light is highly absorbed by the target structure (called chromophore) and is less absorbed by the surrounding tissue.
• The skin chromophores KTP laser target are melanin, oxyhemoglobin and red tattoo pigment.
• The pulse duration of the laser energy is shorter than the thermal relaxation time of the target structure (the time it takes for the target to cool down by 50% from its maximum temperature after irradiation).
• This ensures that the impact of thermal energy is limited to the target structure and does not affect the surrounding tissue. Modern KTP lasers also have integrated cooling systems to help protect the epidermis, particularly when doing vascular job.
• When KTP laser light strikes the skin, it is reflected, transmitted, or absorbed.
• The absorbed light energy is converted into thermal energy (heat) by the intended targets (chromophores), thereby killing the target cells.
• Complications occur when the energy destined for the target chromophore is diffused and absorbed non-selectively by the surrounding tissues and structures. Because melanin is the target of this wavelength, the KTP laser is rarely used on darker skin.
• The effects of the KTP laser on the skin can be altered by altering the pulse width and the degree of cooling. In the case of tattoo pigment, the pulse width is reduced to nanoseconds (Q-Switched KTP) and the clinical effect is photomechanical / acoustic. Picosecond lasers can be more effective for pigment fragmentation, but with very short pulse widths, creating a plasma The veil is a limiting factor.

What is the KTP laser used for?

The following skin disorders can be treated with KTP laser using a machine approved by the United States Federal Drug Agency (FDA), such as The Excel V® (Cutera). The Revlite SI (ConBio) is a KTP Q-Switched laser. Both lasers also have a 1064nm module.

Cutaneous vascular lesions

• The KTP laser is useful in the treatment of some superficial port wine stains (vascular malformation) and a variety of acquired vascular skin lesions, including telangiectasia, Cherry angiomas and poikiloderma from Civatte.
• The light energy emitted by the Nd: YAG pumped Kd laser is mainly absorbed by the oxyhemoglobin contained within blood vessels, thus minimizing thermal damage to other structures.
• The parameters of laser treatment are based on several factors, including injury location, injury morphologyand phototype of the patient's skin.
• Lower energy densities are needed for anatomical locations with an increased risk of scarring, such as previous chest, neck and periorbital zone. Cooling of the skin is essential.
• Only patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I to III are eligible.
• Successful treatment of Civatte Poikiloderma can be accomplished with several treatment sessions. The KTP laser is especially suitable for facial treatment. telangiectasia.

Pigmented and non-vascular skin lesions

• KTP lasers can be effective for freckles, superficial dyspigmentation (e.g epidermal melasma) and lentigines.
• In removing pigmentation, the energy of the KTP laser light is selectively absorbed by the melanin that causes pigmentation. The cooling of the skin is reduced, resulting in a photo-thermal injury to melanin.

Rosacea

• KTP lasers can be effective in erythematotelangiectatic rosacea.

Tattoos

• Used in Q-Switched mode, the KTP laser can be used to remove red tattoo ink (a cause of adverse tattoo reactions).
• The extremely short pulse width (ns) allows the vaporization of the ink.
• Although the 532nm wavelength of the KTP laser is well absorbed by other colors, Nd: YAG (1,064nm) and Alexandrite lasers (755nm) penetrate better and result in higher Clinical result for dark colored tattoos (blue / black).

What does the laser procedure consist of?

The patient should wear eye protection, consisting of an opaque cover or glasses, throughout the treatment.

• Treatment with the KTP laser involves placing a handpiece against the surface of the skin and activating the laser. Many patients describe that each pulse feels like the snap of a rubber band against the skin.
• Current anesthetic or forced air cooling can be applied to the area, but not necessary if there is a cooling system.
• Immediately after treatment, a cold pack can be applied to calm the treated area.
• Care should be taken in the first few days after treatment to avoid scrubbing the area and / or the use of abrasive skin cleansers.
• After treatment, patients should protect the area from sun exposure to reduce the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation.

Are there any side effects of KTP laser treatment?

The side effects of KTP laser treatment are generally minor and may include:

• Pain: There may be some pain during treatment that can be reduced by contact cooling and, if necessary, a topical anesthetic or forced air cooling or other analgesia.
• Redness and swelling: Rarely, pain and redness may occur. Swelling is common, especially in the upper cheeks and forehead, and usually goes away within a few days. The KTP laser is a non-ablative treatment and generally there is no crust or blisters
• Changes in skin pigmentation: sometimes the pigment cells (melanocytes) can be damaged leaving darker (hyperpigmentation) or paler (hypopigmentation) patches of skin. In general, cosmetic lasers will work best for people with lighter than dark skin tones.
• Bruising: rarely occurs.
• Bacterial infection - Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat wound infection if an epidermal disorder occurs.
• Scarring: very rare and minor with KTP laser treatments.