Simulation of temperature distribution in different human skin types exposed to laser irradiation with different wavelengths and laser irradiation intensities

Abstract

In modern medical facilities, laser technology is becoming more important in aesthetic and medical applications. However, inappropriate laser irradiation can result in harmful effects such as thermal burn injury. This occurs because thermal response of the skin due to laser irradiation is not well understood. In this study, the thermal response of skin to laser radiation was investigated under the effects of wavelength, laser intensity, and incident time. The transient bioheat model was considered and solved numerically using the finite element method. This study demonstrated that the skin temperature distribution depends strongly on the wavelength, intensity, and skin color type. The amount of energy absorption is significantly higher in the shorter wavelength range and with increasing intensity. Further, a darker skin color results in higher laser absorption. The obtained values provide an indication of the limitations that must be considered during laser-induced thermotherapy.

Keywords

• laser
• bioheat equation
• skin
• finite element
• thermotherapy