How does melanin interact with laser light during a treatment?

Melanin interacts with laser light primarily through the process of absorption, which can lead to cell destruction. During laser treatments, the specific wavelengths of the laser are chosen to target melanin effectively. When the laser light penetrates the skin, melanin, which is the pigment responsible for color in the skin, absorbs the light energy. This absorption of energy raises the temperature of the melanin and can lead to the destruction of the pigment cells in a controlled manner, making it useful for various dermatological treatments such as hair removal and pigmentation correction. The goal of such treatments is often to selectively damage or destroy the melanin-containing cells without significantly harming surrounding tissues, relying on the contrast in absorption between melanin and other components of the skin.

The other options do not accurately describe the interaction of melanin with laser light. For instance, while melanin does reflect some light, its primary role in laser treatments is absorption, which is crucial for the intended therapeutic effect. The idea of converting light to sound is not applicable in this context, and enhancing the intensity of the laser light is not how melanin interacts with it; instead, melanin absorbs the laser energy, leading to a thermal reaction.