Wound Healing
Laser treatments accelerate each of the three phases associated with thenatural healing of wounds: inflammation, proliferation and remodeling.The result is a reduction in pain, inflammation reduction, increasedstimulation of connective tissue (granulation tissue) and increasedcapillary production (angiogenesis) leading to improved blood flowduring proliferation.Inflammation
Despite the pain associated with this stage, the inflammatory phase isnecessary for tissue repair. First, in the area of the wound, thereappear platelets and white blood cells to coagulate the blood and stopblood loss.. Next, anincreased number of macrophages clean the area andremove dead tissue by engulfing and destroying foreign matter anddamaged cells. Macrophages also release products (known as "factors")that stimulate proliferation - the second step of wound healing.Proliferation
This is the formation of "granulation tissue". There is an activation offibroblasts and angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is the production of newcapillaries (small blood vessels). Fibroblasts are connective tissuecells that form the basis of new tissue. A special kind of fibroblast isthe myofibroblast. This cell can contract itself like a smooth musclecell and in this manner diminish the surface size of the wound.Thisprocess is known as collagen synthesis.Remodeling
This is the final step of wound contraction, where the tissue starts to contract and return to its normal appearance.What happens when a laser is placed on an open wound?
Laser treatment accelerates the different healing phases, preservingonly the necessary components of the inflammatory phase, resulting in ashorter inflammatory reaction causing less pain. Laser stimulates thefibroblasts during the proliferation phase, speeds up angiogenesis andcauses temporary vasodilation (blood vessels increase in diameter).Greater blood flow equals more efficient delivery of oxygen and fuelmolecules to the area and a faster removal of waste products; thusallowing a greater production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - thebasic energy source of a cell. In angiogenesis, the final result is agreater production of blood vessels through the growth of new tissue.Laser also accelerates the absorption of a haematoma through thestimulation of prostacyclin.