Diode lasers utilize longer wavelengths of light that allow them to penetrate deep into the skin, protecting darker-skinned patients from damage on the surface of their skin.
Laser hair removal using Diode lasers is more comfortable due to their cooling device that sucks air from beneath your skin before each laser pulse.
What is the Difference Between the Two?
Laser hair removal is a safe treatment used to effectively get rid of unwanted hairs. A laser beam penetrates the skin and damages hair follicles, leading to less hair production over time. Melanin in hair follicles is targeted and destroyed through selective photothermolysis – diode and alexandrite lasers are the two main laser options available for this procedure – each has their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Diode lasers use semiconductors to emit laser light at wavelengths between 800-810nm. This longer wavelength makes diode lasers ideal for penetrating deeper into skin layers and hair follicles, and reaching hair follicles more effectively. Furthermore, it is safe for dark skin types while treating coarse, thick hairs effectively.
Alexandrite lasers use crystals containing chrysoberyl and chromium to emit laser beams at 755nm wavelength, making it suitable for light skin types, and particularly effective at treating both fine and coarse hairs. Furthermore, this shorter wavelength makes Alexandrite lasers an excellent solution for eliminating back or chest hair removal.
Alexandrite and Diode lasers have both been demonstrated to be equally effective at reducing hair growth in clinical studies. One such study included patients receiving four treatments from each laser type; at six and twelve months post-treatment they experienced similar results from both. Meanwhile, another research study compared their efficacy on medium to dark skin tones; both treatments proved equally successful; although Nd:Yag lasers may be necessary to prevent burns or other complications that arise with darker complexions.
When selecting a laser hair removal machine, look for one with a large spot size and built-in cooling system to reduce pain and discomfort. For instance, the Candela Clarity laser has an 18 mm spot size and is capable of treating large body areas quickly and efficiently; its 18 mm spot makes it especially suited to people with medium to olive complexions; particularly effective in treating legs or back areas. Furthermore, Nd:Yag laser available within this same device works effectively on all skin types – even those who tan easily!
The Pros
Laser treatment uses light energy that is transmitted via a cooled tip to directly contact the skin. This specialized tip ensures the laser safely passes through without harming tissue or causing burns, while its cooling system helps minimize discomfort during treatment sessions.
Alexandrite and diode lasers are both effective ways of eliminating hair follicles and stopping their growth, respectively. Both types of lasers absorb melanin (pigment) that accumulates within hair follicles to destroy them; alexandrite laser waves reach deep into skin to destroy these follicles while diode lasers have shorter wavelengths that work only on the surface layers of skin.
Both technologies perform exceptionally well on light to tan skin tones; therefore, the best choice depends on which technology best meets your specific needs. Diode laser is recommended for light to medium skin tones with coarse hair while Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) technology may work better with darker skin tones or finer locks.
Nd:YAG lasers are among the most efficient tools for lipolysis – or the removal of unwanted fat – due to their longer wavelength light emitting through skin cells to target adipose tissue and release triglycerides that are then processed through lymphatic drainage system and excreted out of your system.
Remember that laser treatments aren’t quick fixes. Both types of lasers require multiple sessions in order to successfully and permanently eradicate hair follicles – the number of sessions will depend on a patient’s individual circumstances and skin tone. After receiving laser treatments, it is advisable to avoid sun exposure in order to ensure any hairs successfully removed do not reappear. With multiple successful sessions under their belts, patients can look forward to having a hairless complexion without shaving, waxing or tweezing! For optimal results it is advised to consult a certified laser specialist who can determine which type of laser will best suit their skin tones, as well as providing tips for preparation prior to beginning their procedure.
The Cons
When it comes to effective laser hair removal, choosing the type of laser used during each session is just as essential as scheduling multiple sessions. Though FDA-approved lasers exist for semi-permanent hair reduction treatments, two of the most frequently utilized are Diode and Alexandrite lasers; both systems provide outstanding results.
The Alexandrite laser utilizes a shorter wavelength to penetrate deeper into the skin, ideal for targeting darker hair and medium to dark skin tones, though it can be combined with Nd:Yag (which targets hemoglobin rather than melanin). Meanwhile, Diode lasers feature longer wavelengths that enable practitioners to treat larger areas more quickly, making this laser solution particularly efficient when dealing with large quantities of unwanted hair at one time.
Diode lasers offer cooling systems to minimize side effects during and after treatments; Alexandrite and Diode can have mild to moderate side effects; both options have proven their efficacy during clinical trials for all Fitzpatrick skin types (from I-IV). If you’re still unsure which laser would best meet your needs, both provide similar results, although Diode might offer slighter relief from them.
At the Laser Center of New York, our expert consultants can assist in selecting which laser treatment will best meet your needs. We use both Alexandrite and Diode systems and can recommend one suited to your skin tone and hair color.
The ruby laser was one of the earliest laser hair removal methods ever devised and is still effective on lighter skin tones; however, its results may not last as long due to improved technology and other more efficient, effective, and safer lasers being available – such as Diode laser. For many patients this option offers near painless results with shorter sessions needed than other methods – sometimes permanent results!
The Bottom Line
Laser hair removal is a safe, efficient and economical method for permanently eliminating unwanted hair. Patients must commit to regular treatments sessions while minimizing sun exposure in order to minimize post-inflammatory pigmentation. Furthermore, results of laser hair removal treatments depend heavily on the expertise of clinician performing them.
Therefore, selecting a laser hair removal clinic with numerous treatments completed by experienced professionals is critical to achieving maximum results. A study published in Balkan Medical Journal evaluated the efficacy of an SHR mode IPL system against Alexandrite and Diode lasers for leg hair removal; satisfaction ratings were evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), with no significant adverse reactions reported by subjects. Skin biophysical parameters were also collected to gauge its effects.
Studies revealed that long-pulse 810nm Diode laser was more effective than an Alexandrite 755nm laser for targeting melanin in hair follicles. Due to its longer wavelength, diode laser could penetrate deeper layers of skin while targeting melanin deposits from deeper hair follicles while the Alexandrite laser had shorter wavelengths that only affected surface-level melanin deposits.
This study also assessed the fluence rates of alexandrite and diode lasers at different depths within the skin, and their treatment efficacies at medium and dark skin types were found to be comparable, suggesting they both provide equally effective solutions.
An important consideration when selecting a laser for hair removal is its cooling system. A cooling system helps protect skin from heat generated by laser light and prevent damage such as burns. Researchers found that diode laser’s cooling system was more efficient than that of alexandrite laser.
The authors of the study concluded that diode lasers were better suited for dark skin tones than Alexandrite lasers due to their longer wavelength that penetrates more deeply into the skin, which was necessary when dealing with darker tones.
