Variations in laser energy outputs over a series of simulated treatments.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Test patches are routinely employed to determine the likely efficacy and the risk of adverse effects from cutaneous laser treatments. However, the degree to which these represent a full treatment has not been investigated in detail. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the variability in pulse-to-pulse output energy from a representative selection of cutaneous laser systems in order to assess the value of laser test patches. METHODS: The output energies of each pulse from seven cutaneous laser systems were measured using a pyroelectric measurement head over a 2-h period, employing a regime of 10-min simulated treatments followed by a 5-min rest period (between patients). RESULTS: Each laser system appeared to demonstrate a different pattern of variation in output energy per pulse over the period measured. CONCLUSIONS: The output energies from a range of cutaneous laser systems have been shown to vary considerably between a representative test patch and a full treatment, and over the course of an entire simulated clinic list.