In this work we have studied the damaging effect of laser light on cell membranes using single bilayer liposomes as a model system. Liposomes, because of their structural similarities to membranes of biological cells, are the best model systems used for the investigation of the effect of laser radiation on biomembranes. Samples of liposomes were routinely prepared and stained in our laboratory. For efficient localized heating of the membrane by laser light, we stained liposomes with a membrane dye with strong absorption at the laser wavelength. Irradiated by the laser beam, the membrane breakdown occurred at a particular laser power for samples of stained liposomes. The laser-induced damage was detected with the use of a photon correlation technique. The power threshold for this damage was measured.