Laser Pulses Cause Skin Rejuvenation

A research conducted at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) demonstrated that laser pulses allow skin rejuvenation. Susanne Dams, who obtained Ph.D. degree from the TU/e Biomedical Engineering Department, has described a laser treatment process.

The treatment using laser pulses produces heat into skin. Skin cells in turn create more collagen due to the heat shocks of 45°C. Collagen is a protein that offers elasticity and firmness to the skin. Initially, Dams tested the heat effect on cell cultures by providing head shocks of 60°C and 45°C without using a laser. The test did not include the possible effects produced by the laser light.

Dams performed similar tests on excised human skin pieces and later heated the skin pieces using a laser. The tests results were similar to the tests conducted earlier. The results showed that a 45°C heat shock lasted up to 8 to 10 s and high temperatures damage the skin cells. She proved with the tests that by heating cells for 2 s in culture at a temperature of 60°C causes cell necrosis.

Philips Research Eindhoven partnered with Dams to perform the research.