Laser Modalities & Applications Flashcards
7 cards from real CLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Laser Modalities & Applications flashcards as text
Laser-assisted lipolysis (e.g., 1064 nm or 1440 nm) achieves fat reduction primarily through which mechanism?
Answer: Selective photothermal damage to adipocytes via lipid absorption
Laser energy at lipid-absorbing wavelengths heats and disrupts adipocyte membranes, causing cell death and subsequent fat clearance by the lymphatic system.
Which condition is considered an absolute contraindication for most laser hair removal procedures?
Answer: Active herpes simplex virus infection in the treatment area
Active HSV infection is an absolute contraindication because laser heat can trigger viral reactivation and cause widespread outbreak or scarring.
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) at fluences below ablation thresholds primarily induces:
Answer: Photobiomodulation to stimulate cellular processes
LLLT uses sub-therapeutic fluences to stimulate mitochondrial activity, promote ATP production, and support cellular repair without causing thermal damage.
A patient with a history of isotretinoin use within the past 12 months presents for fractional CO2 resurfacing. The appropriate course of action is to:
Answer: Postpone treatment for at least 6–12 months after cessation
Isotretinoin impairs sebaceous gland function and wound healing, increasing scarring risk; most guidelines recommend waiting 6–12 months after the last dose before ablative procedures.
The Alexandrite laser at 755 nm is MOST effective for hair removal in which Fitzpatrick skin type range?
Answer: Types I–III
The 755 nm Alexandrite is highly absorbed by melanin but poorly tolerated by darker skin; it offers excellent efficacy and safety for lighter skin types (I–III).
Which laser application utilizes the principle of photodynamic therapy (PDT)?
Answer: Activating a topical photosensitizer (ALA) with a light source to destroy actinic keratoses
PDT involves applying aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which is preferentially absorbed by abnormal cells, then activating it with a specific light wavelength to generate reactive oxygen species that destroy targeted tissue.
Post-treatment hyperpigmentation after laser procedures is most commonly caused by:
Answer: Ultraviolet exposure stimulating melanocyte activity during healing
UV exposure during the healing phase stimulates melanocyte activity in the healing wound, leading to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in darker skin types.