Medical laser devices are widely used in the field of dermatology. Dermatologic laser therapies rapidly developed in Korea following the introduction of various American laser devices with proven safety and efficacy in the early 2000s. Laser is a coherent light beam with collimation and monochromatic properties and it is emitted in certain wavelengths and output depending on the medium. Especially, laser is extensively used in the field of medicine due to its ability to incise and damage soft tissues and coagulate blood.

As laser is more widely used, proper safety training as well as protecting the eyes and skin from harmful influences of laser has become very important.

The following are among the many risky situations that may arise with laser use; 1) a reflected laser beam damaging the eyes, 2) exposure to laser by not wearing protective goggles, 3) unexpected exposure of assistants not wearing protective goggles, 4) users inexperienced in the safe use of laser, 5) device malfunction or high voltage exposure, 6) ignoring operation standards or malfunctions caused by inappropriate storage, etc.

Awareness of these hazardous situations will ensure safety and long-term functionality of laser devices.

A laser device is equipped with various optical units such as reflecting mirrors and lenses, etc. Most of these devices contain glass materials and long-term use or exposure to dust can singe or blacken the devices which results in lowered output. To prevent this, storage and use in a clean environment and routine maintenance checks are necessary.

 

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Dust particles are the laser’s biggest enemy

 

Before Korean laser devices became available in the market, the major problem with early imported laser devices was their susceptibility to dust as routine maintenance checks by the manufacturer was difficult. In case of a malfunction, it took over a month for repairs, the cost of which could be exorbitant without warranty. Warranty is common in the US but it was rather a strange new practice in th Korean culture. When Korean devices entered the market, Korean manufacturers could expand their market share rapidly by offering free routine check-ups.

To my knowledge, most laser manufacturers perform routine inspections every 3, 6, or 12 months. These routine inspections focus on the health of the power supply as it plays a key role in proper function of the device. Most lasers use a high voltage, despite slight variations depending on the model. Therefore, a good power supply is crucial for mechanical stability. Hospitals and doctors’ offices where lasers are used generally have voltage instability as multiple devices are used simultaneously. It is necessary to confirm that sufficient and constant voltage is provided or use an automatic voltage regulator(AVR).

Connecting the device directly to the wall outlet is advised, as connecting various devices to a surge protector may cause instability in voltage levels. Outlets are connected to a powerline that allows a stable voltage even at over 20A.

After connecting the machine to the outlet, place the machine about 20cm away from the wall. Most laser devices use a fan system for cooling. Having a gap from the wall allows the device to cool down faster and protect it from overheating.

 

As mentioned earlier, laser devices are particularly vulnerable to dust contamination. The life of a laser device can vary widely depending on the cleanliness of the environment it is used in.

However, dust particles eventually settle inside the machine even in clean premises. In dustier environments, some devices gather heaps of dust in only three months. Areas with carpeted floors are particularly unsanitary for laser devices.

Hospitals and offices with well-maintained devices keep their premises clean. The machines are dusted daily and operated in clean conditions. Some doctors have air purifiers and have the laser room cleaned regularly. These facilities with well-maintained devices tend to practice the following simple maintenance steps.

The devices are switched off about five minutes after each use to allow cooling. When they are not being used between treatments, the standby mode is switched on to maintain stable function.