Photography of dermatological laser treatment

The art and science of photography has evolved tremendously in the past decade, providing the practitioner of cutaneous laser procedures with a versatile and useful set of tools to enhance this procedure, ultimately improving patient care. The use of photography in cutaneous laser therapy is extensive. It encompasses the documentation of before-and-after assessments and long-term reviews of various skin conditions treated via laser therapy. Treated lesions and/or any potential complications that may arise after a procedure can be monitored closely. This is benefitted by the ability to upload these photos directly to the patient's electronic medical record (EMR). Here, the photographs are readily accessible for follow-up patient visit and allows for communication between physicians regarding identification of lesions and the treatments performed. Furthermore, outside of the clinical setting photography is an invaluable tool in the education of trainees, peers, and the general public. However, appropriate and standardized digital photographs are essential for these benefits to be realized.