American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Fundamentals and Laser Safety Core Principles for Clinical Applications 2025

The course was recorded on April 23, 2025 at the ASLMS Annual Conference.

COURSE DATES: Launch Date: June 23, 2025

COURSE DIRECTORS: Kelly J. Stankiewicz, MD, FAAD; Patricia M. Richey, MD, FAAD, FACMS

FACULTY PANELISTS: Kelly J. Stankiewicz, MD, FAAD; Sungat K. Grewal, MD, FAAD; Zeina S. Tannous, MD; Fernanda H. Sakamoto, MD, PhD; Omar A. Ibrahimi, MD, PhD; Jill S. Waibel, MD; Merete Haedersdal, MD, PhD, DMSc; Molly Wanner, MD; Christine C. Dierickx, MD; Patricia M. Richey, MD, FAAD, FACMS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the activity, learners should be able to:

Describe how to apply the principles of laser-tissue interactions.
Explain how to choose the appropriate technology for the treatment of different medical conditions.
Identify laser therapeutic and warning endpoints.
Summarize best practices for using lasers.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

The target audience for this activity is those interested in the use of lasers for clinical applications including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, urologists, general surgeons, neurologists, neurosurgeons, cardiologists, oncologists, gynecologists, just to name a few. Laboratory researchers such as engineers, physicists, biologists, and chemists may also be interested in this activity.

BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS:

Participants with a basic understanding of skin biology and physics will derive maximal benefit from the presentations, however, all meeting attendees are welcome to attend and contribute.

+ Topics:

Basic Principles of Lasers and Related Technologies | Kelly J. Stankiewicz, MD, FAAD

Laser for Tattoos and Pigmented Lesions | Sungat K. Grewal, MD, FAAD (she/her/hers) – UCSF

Vascular Laser Treatment | Zeina S. Tannous, MD – Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine – Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon

Laser Safety | Fernanda H. Sakamoto, MD, PhD – Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

Non-Ablative Resurfacing and Skin Tightening | Omar A. Ibrahimi, MD, PhD

Laser Treatment of Scars | Jill S. Waibel, MD (she/her/hers) – Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute, Miami, FL

Laser-Assisted Drug Delivery | Merete Haedersdal, MD, PhD, DMSc (she/her/hers) – Copenhagen University Hospital – Bispebjerg

Treatment Endpoints | Molly Wanner, MD – Massachusetts General Hospital

Laser Therapy for Follicular Appendages: Effective Solutions for Hair Removal and Acne | Christine C. Dierickx, MD – Skinperium

Optimizing Outcomes: Combination Treatments | Patricia M. Richey, MD, FAAD, FACMS

Clinical Pearls for Treatment of Skin of Color | Sungat K. Grewal, MD, FAAD (she/her/hers) – UCSF

Laser Complications | Patricia M. Richey, MD, FAAD, FACMS

Laser Pearls and Common Conditions | Omar A. Ibrahimi, MD, PhD