Lasers have numerous scientific and medical applications. They are used for cancer treatments, eye surgeries like LASIK, industrial applications such as cutting and drilling, dental procedures to remove decay and lesions, cosmetic surgeries to remove hair and tattoos, and pain relief through low-level laser therapy. Lasers offer advantages over traditional tools in fields like manufacturing due to their precision and ability to be automated. Overall, lasers have become integral to many areas of science, health, and technology.
2. Since its inception, the laser has been integrated
into all facets of science, health, and technology,
bringing these industries to great new heights. Let’s
take a look at some of the most notable things
lasers have accomplished in the realm of science.
LASER
3. CANCER TREATMENT
Carbon dioxide lasers
can be applied to some
precancerous cells and
skin cancers.
Argon lasers can be
used in conjunction with a
special photosensitive
drug to kill cancer cells.
Nd:YAG lasers can, with
help from optical fibers,
access hard-to-reach parts
of the body, allowing for the
treatment of throat cancers.
Laser-induced interstitial
thermotherapy (LITT) is
used to heat areas of the
body near tumors and
cancerous cells to shrink or
damage them.
The types of lasers used in cancer treatments include:
4. EYE SURGERY
LASIK surgery has become one of the most common laser
applications in modern medicine. The procedure aims to
correct vision problems, including:
The procedure works by physically reshaping your cornea so
that light focuses on your retina properly.
Myopia
(nearsightedness)
Hyperopia
(farsightedness)
Astigmatism
5. INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
You don’t have to worry about sharpening, maintaining, or replacing
tool bits as lasers don’t use any contact tools.
Brittle, pliable materials that are difficult to process with conventional
hand tools are easy to manipulate with lasers.
Lasers are easily automated, allowing you to reinvest manpower in
other areas of production.
The laser offers significant advantages over hand tools
and machines in commercial and industrial applications.
THESE ADVANTAGES MAKE
LASERS PERFECT FOR
cutting
drilling welding
cladding
6. DENTAL PROCEDURES
Tooth decay
Lasers can remove
decayed tissue
inside your tooth
and prepare the
enamel for fillings.
Lesion removal
Lasers can relieve pain
from canker sores
and other lesions
in the mouth.
Gum disease
Lasers can remove
bacteria and reshape
your gums to prevent
gum disease.
Whitening
After applying a peroxide bleaching
solution, a dentist can speed up the
whitening process using a laser.
Biopsy
Using a laser,
a medical professional
can take a small
piece of gum tissue
to be examined for
cancerous cells.
Lasers have been put to great use in dentistry for:
7. COSMETIC SURGERY
The laser’s precision makes it perfect for cosmetic surgeries. Lasers can
help remove sunspots, tattoos, and hair. Cold laser therapy is an
effective, noninvasive alternative to liposuction to contour the body.
Sunspots
Hair
Tattoos
8. PAIN RELIEF
Low level laser therapy uses low wavelengths of light to accelerate
healing and relieve pain for a variety of acute and chronic conditions,
particularly neck and back pain.
The laser is placed over the injured area. The
photons penetrate up to 5 centimeters below the
skin, passing through to the subcutaneous tissue.
Photosensitive elements in the cells
absorb and interact with the light.
Absorbing the light, the cells trigger processes
that heal damaged tissue, increase intracellular
metabolism and reduce pain, edema, and
inflammation.
How It Works
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9. It’s amazing to think that the laser—a beam of
concentrated light—has become so integral to our
everyday lives, but it has certainly made things
easier and promises great developments as
laser technology continues to grow.
Let There Be
Light!