After laser treatment, heat transfer occurs from the chromophore to what?

After laser treatment, heat transfer occurs from the chromophore primarily to the adjacent tissue. The chromophore, which is the target material absorbing the laser energy (such as melanin in hair follicles or hemoglobin in blood vessels), converts the light energy into heat. This heat then dissipates to the neighboring tissues surrounding the chromophore.

This heat transfer is crucial for the therapeutic effects of laser treatments, as it helps to damage the targeted tissue selectively while minimizing harm to surrounding areas. Understanding this process is essential in optimizing treatments and ensuring patient safety, as well as achieving effective results in conditions being addressed by laser therapy.