Abrasive lasers (CO2-laser, Erbium-YAG-laser)
The CO2-laser has been used for a long time for touchless cutting (light scalpell). Also soft tissue (especially mucosa) can be removed gently and without bleeding.
Further development of this laser led to the generation of short pulsed CO2 lasers ((Superpuls, Ultrapuls®) and scanners for CW- oder Superpuls- CO2-lasers (Silktouch®), allowing for more gently removal of tissue without generation of heat in the surrounding tissue. Thus the risk for scarring is greatly reduced. These lasers are aslo used for so-called skin resurfacing, removing wrinkles of the face and flattening scars.
