Laser hair removal can be an effective solution to unwanted hair growth, yet several factors can impede its effectiveness, including practitioner experience and skill.
Diode and Alexandrite laser treatments are both highly effective options for most skin types and hair colors, with diode laser having longer wavelength than alexandrite laser.
Side Effects
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective treatment option for unwanted body hair, but like any medical procedure it may cause side effects. These could range from minor and temporary effects that will eventually resolve themselves to more serious medical complications that require medical intervention. It is important that you fully understand all risks involved with laser hair removal so you can discuss it with your physician prior to beginning treatments.
Redness and swelling are two of the more commonly reported side effects associated with laser hair removal, usually as a result of skin reactions to laser energy, and should usually not be serious. Darkening of skin may also occur as laser energy penetrates through layers of melanin pigmentation in skin tissue to damage melanin production – not serious by any means but it may make patients appear blotchy or uncomfortable.
Both types of lasers may cause such side effects; alexandrite lasers emit energy at 755nm, which falls well within the absorption spectrum for melanin. Diode lasers emit energy at 810nm which allows deeper penetration without damaging melanin or creating side effects.
One key difference between the two lasers is their pulse widths: while alexandrite lasers feature fixed pulse widths of 2-40 milliseconds, diode lasers offer adjustable pulse duration from 5 milliseconds up to 1000 miliseconds, providing greater control for laser hair removal in patients with darker skin tones by reducing post-treatment erythema and pigmentation after each treatment session.
Alexandrite lasers are an attractive solution for light to medium skin tones as they produce permanent results; however, these treatments may be painful for darker skin tones and do not suit those with tanned or sunburned skin. An alternative that does not target melanin may be more suitable as it works on all skin types equally effectively – in addition to being fast and painless! For people with coarse or thick hair growth.
Pain
Laser hair removal is a safe, effective, and lasting way to rid oneself of unwanted hair. But its effectiveness depends on skin tone, hair color and treatment settings used by practitioners; several studies have compared alexandrite and diode lasers regarding their ability to permanently reduce hair growth.
Both alexandrite and diode lasers emit light energy which is absorbed by melanin pigment found in hair follicles, turning into heat to damage their growth and inhibit future expansion. Thus, both alexandrite and diode lasers can be effective ways of eliminating unwanted hair; however, results vary largely based on experience of laser operator/center and treatment plan chosen.
The alexandrite laser boasts a wavelength of 755nm that falls within melanin’s absorption spectrum, making it possible to target and destroy melanin deposits in hair follicles without damaging nearby skin tissue – this process is known as selective photothermolysis.
Alexandrite lasers tend to be more effective at removing unwanted hair than diode lasers due to their deeper penetration of skin layers and ability to reach hair follicles that may not yet be visible to clients. As such, this technology makes itself particularly suitable for darker skin phototypes.
Though alexandrite lasers tend to be more effective at removing unwanted hair than their counterparts, both types can still be effective if set appropriately by their practitioner. Smooth Synergy Med Spa’s Candela Gentle Max Pro system features both alexandrite and ND YAG lasers in one machine for convenient treatment of patients of diverse skin tones and hair types.
Study results comparing alexandrite and diode lasers revealed similar permanent hair reduction results after multiple treatments; results were measured six and twelve months post treatment. Both laser types also proved equally effective at targeting dark skin tone even at higher fluences; however, excessive fluence rates can increase discomfort for sensitive individuals.
Results
Laser epilation is an efficient and safe method of hair removal, however the type of laser used is essential for successful results. Different lasers use various wavelengths that target specific parts of the skin. These wavelengths influence how your skin absorbs laser energy and, ultimately, how effective your laser hair removal treatment will be. Two popular laser types for hair removal are Alexandrite and Diode lasers – both have large spot sizes to quickly treat larger areas. Smooth Synergy Med Spa uses the Candela Gentle Max Pro system at Smooth Synergy Med Spa to offer both Alexandrite and ND Yag lasers for all hair types and skin tones, offering equally effective treatments to eliminate unwanted hair while providing comfort with its Cryogen cooling system. These devices make treatments virtually pain-free!
Laser hair removal results can be greatly enhanced when the correct wavelengths and fluence rates are utilized, particularly for darker skin tones. A simulation study examined the use of 755nm alexandrite and 810nm diode lasers on dark skin types; both achieved good results; however, diode was more successful at targeting dark skin types than alexandrite was.
Because alexandrite laser waves do not penetrate as deeply into the skin as diode laser waves do, alexandrite laser treatments can only be effective on one or two skin phototypes and may even lead to burns for darker complexions whereas diode laser can treat all six phototypes effectively.
Studies showed that both alexandrite and diode lasers provided equally successful long-term hair reduction results at six and twelve months after repeated treatments, due to their relatively high levels of effectiveness (although alexandrite proved more successful).
In this study, patients underwent four sessions of alexandrite or diode laser hair removal treatments and averaged an 85% reduction after four treatments with alexandrite laser. Diode laser had higher rate of hair reduction but no discernable difference was noted six or twelve months post treatment.
Cost
Laser hair removal can be costly regardless of which machine is used, which is why it’s crucial to select a reputable salon or center with extensive experience in laser treatments. Skilled laser operators and tailored settings tailored specifically for your skin tone produce optimal results; cheap deals should be avoided as these places often switch operators between treatments or use older machines that may not provide optimal settings tailored specifically for you.
Alexandrite laser hair removal is an increasingly popular laser solution for individuals with lighter skin tones, said to cause less pain than some other methods and produce noticeable results more quickly than other laser options. Alexandrite uses selective photothermolysis (slight light energy applied directly onto pigment and hair follicles to destroy them) which makes lasers effective at getting rid of unwanted hair.
Diode lasers feature longer wavelengths than Alexandrite lasers, enabling them to penetrate deeper into the skin and target hair follicles more effectively, thus decreasing side effects such as hypopigmentation and other risks. Diode lasers also prove more versatile as they can be used on skin of all colors.
Diode lasers offer another distinct advantage over Alexandrite lasers in that they are often safer for use when treating patients with darker skin tones, since shorter wavelengths of Alexandrite lasers may cause pigment changes on those with darker complexions.
Diode and alexandrite lasers can both be effectively utilized on dark skin; however, for optimal results it is crucial that they are administered by providers with extensive experience in using these technologies. Both laser types can be utilized on facial features, arms, legs and bikini areas to remove unwanted hair – whether diode or alexandrite are used, both can help reduce unwanted hair while improving self-confidence; whether permanent or short term results from laser hair removal exist they offer excellent options to effectively eliminate unwanted body hair and make laser an ideal way of eliminating unwanted body hair!
