Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 2008. / Title from web page (viewed on Mar. 2, 2009). With: The effect of ambient temperature on capillary vascular malformations / D.J. McGill, I.R. Mackay. British journal of dermatology. 2006: 154, 896-903. With: Capillary vascular malformation response to increased ambient temperature is dependent upon anatomical location / David J. McGill, Iain R. Mackay. Annals of plastic surgery. 2007: 58, 2, 193-199. With: A direct comparison of Pulsed dye, Alexandrite, KTP and ND: YAG lasers and IPL in patients with previously treated capillary malformation / Davis J. McGill, William MacLaren, Iain R. Mackay. Lasers in surgery and medicine. 2008: 9999, 1-9. With: A randomized split-face comparison of facial hair removal with Alexandrite Laser and Intense Pulsed Light System / D.J. McGill ... et al. Lasers in Surgery and medicine. 2007: 39, 767-772. With: Laser hair removal in women with polycystic ovary syndrome / D.J. McGill ... et al. Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery. 2007: 60, 426-431. Assessment of burn depth : a prospective, blinded comparison of laser Doppler imaging and videomicroscopy / D.J. McGill ... et al. Burns. 2007: 33, 833-842. Includes bibliographical references.

The effectiveness of lasers in the treatment of cutaneous conditions such as vascular disorders, hirsutism, acne, and scarring has been widely reported, but many of these reports are simply case series or small, non-randomised trials. As a result, the evidence base for much of the laser treatment currently carried out is small. This problem is compounded by the fact that there is a significant lack of reproducible, objective outcome measures available to assess the results of treatment. Therefore, there is a need to develop reliable and objective outcome measures and to improve the results of laser treatment. The studies included in this thesis focus on both of these aspects in relation to capillary vascular malformations (CMs), hirsutism, ablative laser resurfacing and acne vulgaris. The following studies were completed: the effect of increased ambient temperature on capillary vascular malformations; Capillary Vascular Malformation Response to Increased Ambient Temperature is Dependant on Anatomical Location; the Effect of Increased Ambient Temperature on Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment of Capillary Vascular Malformations; comparison of Pulsed dye, Alexandrite, KTP and Nd:YAG Lasers and Lumina IPL for the Treatment of Capillary Vascular Malformations; Laser Hair Removal in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS); a Randomised, Split-Face Comparison of Facial Hair Removal with the GentleLase Alexandrite Laser and Lumina Intense Pulsed Light Syndrome; assessment of the depth of CO₂ laser ablation; and Treating Acne Vulgaris with Intense Pulsed Light: A Randomised, Split-Face Control Study.