What is the term for the effects that occur when laser light interacts with biological tissues?

The term that best describes the effects that occur when laser light interacts with biological tissues is laser-tissue interaction. This encompasses a range of processes, including absorption, scattering, and reflection, that take place when the laser light penetrates biological materials.

Understanding laser-tissue interaction is crucial because it determines how effectively a laser will treat or affect the tissue in medical and cosmetic procedures. Different tissues absorb laser light at varying rates and wavelengths, which can lead to different biological responses — for example, photocoagulation or photodisruption.

This concept emphasizes the importance of selecting the appropriate laser parameters, such as wavelength and energy settings, to achieve the desired clinical outcome without causing unnecessary damage to surrounding tissues. The other terms, while related, are more specific aspects of the broader phenomenon of laser-tissue interaction.