What Is a Laser?

The term ‘laser’ is an acronym for ‘Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation’. Simply stated, a laser tool emits a beam of light which, when focused on a substrate, will thermally affect its target. This is made possible because of the way lasers interact with electrons. There are many different types of medical lasers, some designed to correct vision, remove discolorations, and other imperfections on the skin, whilst others are designed for resurfacing the skin. It is beyond the scope of this chapter to attempt to describe the many different kinds of lasers available.

Updated: October 1, 2015 — 7:28 pm