Skin, Light and their Interactions, an In-Depth Review for Modern Light-Based Skin Therapies

Light-based therapies, including laser, have evolved over the last decades in the dermatology and cosmetic fields. Practitioners should have a deep understanding of the mechanism of action and the effect of different laser parameters on treatments outcomes and safety profiles. Moreover, practitioners would not be able to improve the existing laser treatment protocols or develop new ones without understanding the light fundamentals and different laser-skin interactions. This review article attempts to bridge the theoretical concepts of laser and skin anatomy with the practical applications of light-based treatments.