How does laser therapy minimize damage to surrounding skin?

Laser therapy minimizes damage to surrounding skin primarily by targeting only specific skin layers. This precision allows the laser to focus on the area needing treatment—such as a tattoo, wrinkle, or scar—while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue. The ability to selectively affect particular wavelengths of light to penetrate only to certain depths in the skin makes this technique effective and minimizes unwanted effects on adjacent skin cells.

In contrast, using a wider beam of light would likely increase the area of skin affected, leading to a higher risk of damage to tissues that do not require treatment. While applying anesthesia can enhance patient comfort during the procedure, it does not play a role in minimizing damage to the skin itself. Multiple treatment sessions are often scheduled to achieve optimal results, but this approach does not limit damage during each session. Therefore, the focus on targeting specific skin layers is fundamental to the effectiveness and safety of laser therapy.