What does the term "coagulation" refer to in the context of laser therapy?

The term "coagulation" in the context of laser therapy specifically refers to the process by which blood vessels clot. This is an important effect of laser treatment because when lasers are used on the skin, they can produce precise heating that causes the protein in the tissues—and in blood vessels—to denature. This denaturation results in the coagulation of proteins, which effectively leads to the formation of a clot.

This mechanism is particularly useful in various dermatological and surgical applications, such as treating vascular lesions, minimizing bleeding during procedures, and enhancing healing. Coagulation helps to seal off blood vessels, which reduces blood loss and promotes recovery by protecting underlying structures.

The other options do not correctly define coagulation within the specific framework of laser therapy, as they refer to different processes or outcomes associated with laser treatments, such as tissue removal, skin texture enhancement, or inflammation reduction.