KTP Treatment
KTP (Potassium Titanyl Phosphate) laser therapy is used to selectively coagulate or destroy specific tissues, offering potential improvements with minimal recovery time. It is particularly effective in treating a variety of acquired cutaneous vascular lesions, including telangiectasia (spider veins), cherry angiomas, poikiloderma of Civatte, and some superficial port wine stains (a type of vascular malformation). The KTP laser can also be applied in a variety of frequency conversion applications, enhancing its versatility in both medical and cosmetic procedures.
About KTP Treatment
KTP (Potassium Titanyl Phosphate) laser therapy uses a green laser to treat vascular and pigmented skin conditions such as spider veins, rosacea, and sunspots. The laser selectively heats damaged tissue, triggering coagulation or destruction while leaving surrounding tissue unharmed. This targeted approach minimises recovery time and improves skin conditions with minimal side effects. However, it is essential to consult with a medical professional to determine if KTP treatment is appropriate for your specific condition.
Procedure of KTP Treatment
KTP laser treatment works through selective photothermolysis, where certain skin components called chromophores absorb the laser’s specific wavelength more effectively than surrounding tissues. Chromophores targeted by KTP lasers include melanin (skin pigment), oxyhemoglobin (in blood vessels), and red tattoo pigment.
The laser’s pulse duration is shorter than the cooling time of the target chromophores, ensuring that heat effects are contained and surrounding tissue remains undamaged. Modern KTP lasers are equipped with integrated cooling systems, which protect the skin during treatment, especially for vascular conditions.
Upon contact with the skin, the laser light may be reflected, transmitted, or absorbed. When absorbed by the targeted chromophores, the light energy turns into heat, effectively destroying the targeted cells. However, if the heat spreads to surrounding tissues, complications may arise.
KTP lasers are not ideal for individuals with darker skin tones, as they target melanin, increasing the risk of pigmentation changes. Adjusting the laser’s pulse width and cooling settings can modify its effects on the skin. For tattoo removal, Q-switched KTP lasers use nanosecond pulses to target pigments, while picosecond lasers fragment pigments at even shorter pulses but face challenges like the “plasma veil” effect, which can reduce laser efficiency at very short pulse widths.
This precise and customizable method makes KTP laser therapy effective for various skin issues while minimizing downtime and side effects.