Diode lasers boast longer wavelengths that penetrate deeper into the skin to target melanin within hair follicles for effective treatment of darker skin tones more effectively than Alexandrite lasers.
Cosmetic Surgery Times reports that studies of both alexandrite and diode lasers have demonstrated similar outcomes after four treatment sessions; both types are suitable for most skin types and hair colors.
Cost
Laser hair removal is one of the most sought-after solutions for unwanted hair. Utilizing an intense beam of light, lasers are used to target melanin pigment and destroy hair follicles – thus permanently reducing hair growth and creating permanent reduction. Furthermore, this cost-effective procedure can often be performed either at home or within clinic environments; several different laser technologies (Alexandrite Diode and Nd:YAG lasers are among them) are often available for this procedure.
Diode lasers feature longer wavelengths than alexandrite lasers, enabling them to penetrate deeper into the skin without damaging its epidermis and effectively targeting hair follicles more efficiently. Furthermore, diode lasers tend to work better on darker skin tones with coarser hair as well as cause less discomfort for patients.
Alexandrite lasers offer shorter wavelengths that are best for white and light skin tones, although still an effective treatment option for various hair and skin conditions. Their effectiveness may be enhanced further with cold enzyme gel used prior to each laser pulse application in order to alleviate pain from its pulses as well as prolong their longevity within hair follicles.
Diode laser technology is an innovative new solution that can be used to treat darker skin. Its longer wavelength absorbs less melanin pigment than traditional methods and thus avoids skin damage and discoloration, while penetrating deeper into the skin and targeting follicles more efficiently; further reducing sessions needed for complete hair removal.
Studies involving computationally simulated skin have demonstrated the efficacy of both diode and Alexandrite lasers for hair removal in equal measures, when it comes to fluence rates across various skin thicknesses.
Diode lasers can also be more comfortable for use than Alexandrite lasers because of their larger spot size and cryogen-spray cooling system, offering patients a much more pleasurable experience during laser pulses. In addition, diode lasers are faster than their counterparts so can cover larger body areas more quickly.
Safety
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution to unwanted hair removal, however not all doctors use identical lasers during treatments. The type of laser you select during treatment determines its success: lasers work by emitting light that targets pigmented melanin pigment in skin tissue; when this light hits melanin it absorbs it without harming surrounding tissue – this process is known as selective photothermolysis; both Alexandrite and diode lasers employ this mechanism.
Though both laser technologies are safe, their wavelengths target specific parts of the skin differently. Alexandrite lasers typically use shorter wavelengths that work best on lighter skin tones; diode lasers use longer wavelengths that penetrate deeper without causing thermal damage and are better at treating darker skin tones that would otherwise be difficult to treat with other lasers.
Both lasers can cause side effects, though their severity depends on the treatment and individual patient. For instance, alexandrite laser treatments often result in redness and swelling afterward; typically lasting from 1 to 2 weeks afterward; with dark skin being at greater risk than lighter skin for these side effects occurring. Also taking certain medications or tanning beds could increase this risk further.
Some individuals express concerns over the safety of laser hair removal; however, such concerns are unwarranted. Laser beams only target hair follicles and do not affect other tissues. Furthermore, there are ways to mitigate risks when conducting this treatment – for instance some lasers use cooling with cryogen spray or cool air which protects surface skin damage and surface from being affected by heat exposure during removal.
Researchers published in the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery conducted an in-depth evaluation of three laser types used for hair reduction on dark skin. Alexandrite and diode lasers both produced similar 12-month results; furthermore, both options performed well across medium-to-dark skin tones.
Effectiveness
Laser technology can be an effective means of hair removal. However, its success relies on how energy is applied to the skin; different kinds of lasers have different powers and intensities which affect results. A study comparing Alexandrite and Diode lasers on dark skin revealed that their fluence rate reached hair follicles at similar levels; however Diode lasers proved more successful for light-colored hair removal.
The Alexandrite laser utilizes a crystal to emit focused light energy at 755nm, passing through melanin pigment to disable hair follicles and curb new hair growth. Unfortunately, this method is less precise than Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology which targets multiple colors and pigments at once; additionally it may be less effective at treating lighter hairs than IPL technology.
Diode lasers operate at 810nm and penetrate deeper, which enables it to target darker skin colors without creating heat-related damage. Furthermore, this type of laser provides better efficiency when treating coarse hairs like those found on legs or backs.
Roy Geronemus, a New York laser expert, conducted a study that demonstrated both Alexandrite and Diode lasers were equally effective at hair removal for dark skin, with Alexandrite showing fewer side effects than Diode. Unfortunately, however, its results weren’t as impressive as those seen in an earlier comparison study between these lasers.
Both Alexandrite and Diode lasers boast wide ranging efficacy, producing 12-month hair reduction results with no side effects when used by a trained laser operator. Furthermore, these lasers are safer than longer wavelength lasers such as Nd:YAG or IPL that could burn the skin and lead to further complications.
An essential factor when it comes to laser safety for dark skin is the cooling system used by each device. Alexandrite lasers typically utilize cryogen cooling systems that prevent burning during treatments. Vaporized cryogen cools before each laser pulse for increased comfort during IPL therapy treatments.
Side Effects
When it comes to getting rid of unwanted hair, both Alexandrite and Diode Lasers can be useful tools. Both devices are safe, virtually pain-free solutions which work through selective photothermolysis: their laser beam destroys targeted cells such as hair follicles using specific wavelengths without harming nearby tissue – but Alexandrite uses longer wavelengths (755) while Diode uses shorter ones (800-810nm).
Both lasers offer unique advantages and disadvantages; the alexandrite laser excels at treating darker hairs without side effects like redness or scabs, has a larger spot size for quicker treatment of larger areas and is typically less costly than its Diode Laser counterpart. Unfortunately, however, its expense makes it less attractive.
Diode lasers do not possess long wavelengths and work best on lighter skin types. Though more effective than IPL treatments in terms of hair removal, their downside lies in being more painful than their IPL counterparts and taking multiple sessions to be fully effective.
Clinical research showed that both alexandrite and diode lasers were equally effective at treating unwanted hair. Patients treated with both lasers saw significant hair reduction lasting 12 months from multiple treatment sessions with both lasers. Though results of both were similar, alexandrite’s lower fluence rate made it more accessible for hair follicle penetration than diode’s laser did.
Long pulsed diode lasers offer a safe and effective means of treating unwanted hair. While not as powerful as Alexandrite or Nd:YAG lasers, this newer diode laser generation uses semiconductor technology and comes equipped with cryogen cooling systems to make procedures much less painful than prior models. Furthermore, unlike earlier diode lasers which had smaller surface areas than their modern counterparts can now treat larger areas more rapidly than ever before.
