Laser procedures are currently widely used in dermatology due to their low aggressiveness, excellent results, and fast recovery time with few complications.They are indicated in the treatment of photoaging, for removing or attenuating vascular alterations and pigmented lesions, and treating scars and excessive hairs.These lasers offer high levels of safety, however they can cause serious complications if used improperly.The objective of this study is to describe the side effects caused by different lasers and how to manage them, since there are few studies on this topic.This knowledge is crucial for improving patient care and preventing morbidity and sequelae. Side effects caused by non-fractional non-ablative lasers will be discussed in Part I of this paper. Fractional and non-fractional ablative lasers, as well as fractional non-ablative lasers, will be discussed in Part II.

Keywords: LASERS, POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS, HAIR REMOVAL, LASER THERAPY, HYPERPIGMENTATION

Conventional ablative lasers remove the epidermis and part of the dermis completely, and achieve excellent results in the treatment of photoaging. Non-ablative lasers have become more popular, since they inflict less thermal damage on the dermis and do not remove the epidermis, thus reducing the recovery time and the risk of side effects. Fractioning has recently been introduced in non-ablative lasers, with the goal of developing a system with the efficiency of the ablative and the safety of the non-ablative lasers. Fractional ablative lasers form total dermal-epidermic ablation columns, whereas fractional non-ablative lasers generate microscopic zones of dermal-epidermic thermal lesions, yet they preserve the stratum corneum.

Keywords: LASERS, CARBON DIOXIDE, POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS, REJUVENATION, PHOTOAGING