What occurs to laser spot size as it travels deeper into tissue?

As laser light penetrates deeper into tissue, dermal scattering occurs due to the interaction of the light with various tissue layers and structures. This scattering affects the laser's spot size, leading to an increase in the dispersion of the light as it travels deeper. The immediate surface layers of the skin may maintain a more focused spot size, but as the laser energy continues to travel through different tissue densities and compositions, the light scatters in various directions, broadening the spot size.

Dermal scattering is particularly significant in treatments involving lasers because it can influence the overall effectiveness of the procedure by altering how much energy reaches deeper tissue structures. This increased dispersion can mean that not all of the laser energy effectively targets the intended areas, reducing its potency and making depth control in treatment an important consideration.

Understanding this behavior of lasers in biological tissues helps practitioners optimize treatment parameters for better outcomes.