A summary of the pathophysiology and clinical use of the argon laser in the treatment of cutaneous lesions is presented. The nonionizing blue-green argon laser light is absorbed by pigment, is converted to heat, and selectively destroys specific cutaneous lesions with sparing of adjacent dermal appendages and healing of the laser wound with minimal scarring. Vascular lesions (port wine hemangioma, capillary-cavernous hemangioma, telangiectasia), inflammatory lesions (pyogenic granuloma), nevoid lesions, tattoo lesions, and a variety of miscellaneous lesions have been successfully treated.

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This report updates our most recent series of 60 tattoos treated in 1980 and followed for at least 12 months. An initial rate of hypertrophic scarring of 35% at 3 months eventuated in 23% after 1 year. Factors such as sex, complexion, and body location were correlated to scars and hypopigmentation. Over 50% excellent to good results were achieved overall in this series.

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