Laser Safety Standards to Include Skin Pigmentation

Medical and imaging specialists increasingly rely on lasers for procedures ranging from delicate surgeries to advanced photoacoustic diagnostics. To safeguard patients, regulatory bodies have established maximum permissible exposure limits that specify the highest amount of laser energy the skin can tolerate without sustaining damage. These guidelines, however, are based on generic skin models and do not differentiate between varying levels of skin pigmentation.

Recent studies suggest that darker skin, which contains higher concentrations of melanin, may absorb laser energy more efficiently, potentially increasing the risk of thermal injury at exposure levels deemed safe for lighter skin tones. Conversely, lighter skin may reflect or transmit more laser energy, possibly reducing the likelihood of damage. Because current safety thresholds do not adjust for these physiological differences, there is growing concern that some patients could be exposed to harmful doses inadvertently.

Researchers and industry groups are now calling for revised safety standards that incorporate skin pigmentation as a variable factor. By tailoring exposure limits to individual skin types, clinicians could improve patient safety and expand the applicability of laser‑based therapies across diverse populations.