Introduction
Until medical lasers were available, hair removal techniques, such as waxing or electrolysis, were painful and laborious and often provided mixed results. Laser hair removal offers those with unwanted body hair a solution that is more comfortable and effective.
Medical Lasers
The medical laser unit is specifically designed to emit the correct wavelength of coherent laser light, delivered to the skin through a hand-held device connected to the main power unit by a flexible cable. The doctor will adjust the power and level of exposure to the laser light, based on skin color, texture, thickness and other important factors.
Photodermal Destruction
Laser hair removal uses a method called photodermal destruction. When the laser is activated, it emits a low-energy beam that will pass harmlessly through skin. The energy in the beam will be absorbed by the dark hair follicles underneath the skin, where the pigment, melanin, is high. When the light strikes the hair follicles, it produces heat that intentionally damages the follicle, limiting its ability to grow.
The Procedure
During the procedure, a trained medical professional will place the hand-held medical laser to the skin. The skin will then be exposed to the laser light for a predetermined period of time. The laser will cause a stinging sensation. Sometimes, a topical anesthetic can be applied to lessen the discomfort. Some medical lasers also have a cooling mechanism in the tip of the device. An odor of burnt hair may also be noticed.
Ruby Lasers
The ruby laser was the first to be approved for laser hair removal and is the most widely tested and used. It directly targets the melanin in the skin. Because ruby lasers can cause discomfort, the beam is pulsed at a fairly slow rate. This can mean prolonged sessions for treating large areas of skin.
Alexandrite Lasers
Alexandrite lasers use the gemstone alexandrite to emit a wavelength of light that is particularly appropriate for hair removal. This is because melanin will more readily absorb the energy from alexandrite lasers. The laser pulses can be delivered more rapidly, covering a larger area in a shorter amount of time.
Diode Lasers
Diode lasers produce a beam of laser light that is generated by an electronic component, called a diode. This type of medical laser also targets the melanin in the hair follicles. Diode lasers emit a longer wavelength than ruby or alexandrite lasers. This allows the diode laser to be used on darker complexions.
Nd:YAG lasers
Nd:YAG lasers emit even longer wavelengths than most medical lasers. The Nd stand for neodynium and YAG for yttrium aluminum garnet, which are the chemical constituents that produce the laser beam. For this laser to work, a carbon lotion is applied to the area to be treated. The lotion will penetrate the follicles. The lotion is then removed from the skin. The Nd:YAG laser will then target the absorbed carbon. Because this laser does not target melanin, it can be used on darker complexions.
Member Comments