How are the types of dermatologic lasers classified?

The lasers are usually classified by the laser medium that generates the light, the specific wavelength of laser light, the length of the laser pulse, and the uses of the laser (Table 54-1).

Table 54-1. Types of Lasers
	LASER MEDIUM		WAVELENGTH		PULSE DURATION		USES
	Carbon dioxide		10,600 nm		msec		Destruction of benign growths Ablative skin resurfacing
	Pulsed dye		577–600 nm		msec		Vascular lesion removal Nonablative skin resurfacing Scar improvement Lentigines Wart removal Treatment of rosacea Reduction of poikiloderma of Civatte
	Nd:YAG laser (Q-switched)		1064 nm		nsec		Black, blue tattoos Lentigines Nonablative laser resurfacing
	Nd:YAG laser (long-pulsed)		1064 nm		msec		Hair removal Vascular lesions Skin tightening
	KTP laser (Q-switched)		532 nm		nsec		Red tattoos
	KTP laser (long-pulsed)		532 nm		msec		Vascular lesions Lentigines
	Alexandrite laser (Q-switched)		755 nm		nsec		Green tattoos Lentigines
	Alexandrite laser (long-pulsed)		755 nm		msec		Hair removal Lentigines Vascular lesions
	Ruby laser (Q-switched)		694 nm		nsec		Black, blue tattoos
	Ruby laser (long-pulsed)		694 nm		msec		Hair removal
	Diode laser		810 nm		msec		Hair removal
	Diode laser		1350–1450 nm		msec		Nonablative skin resurfacing