The infrared coagulator in dermatology.

The infrared coagulator was developed 10 years ago in West Germany. It shares some properties with an infrared laser but differs by virtue of its noncoherent, multispectral light source. It has evolved to become a cheap, portable instrument with a wide spectrum of applications in medicine, including dermatology. The treatment of tattoos and vascular lesions with the infrared coagulator is discussed, along with the technical considerations and limitations associated with this instrument.