Lasers can be an effective treatment option for various conditions via photothermolysis. This treatment method uses light to heat and destroy hair follicles without harming the surrounding skin. This technique is safe and causes no side effects.
Laser light is drawn to dark pigment in hair follicles, so its effectiveness only applies to darker hues; blond, white or gray locks do not respond.
Alexandrite
Lasers work on hair by emitting light that specifically targets pigment within hair shafts and heats them, thus dissolving their hair follicle and stopping future hair growth while also thinning existing locks out and decreasing thickness. Although results from laser treatment are usually temporary, additional sessions may be needed in order to achieve permanent reduction of hair.
The Alexandrite Laser emits a high-intensity short wavelength used in dermatology for hair removal and tissue rejuvenation. Additionally, its short wavelength has become the go-to solution in treating artificial and accidental tattoos (Chapter 14). Due to its low absorption into water molecules, its effectiveness in treating deeper vessels in skin makes it even more popular than competing wavelengths.
Studies have demonstrated that alexandrite lasers were more efficient than diode lasers for hair removal on Fitzpatrick skin types 1 and 2, however these lasers may not work well on lighter skin tones due to short wavelength Alexandrite lasers being used, potentially leading to discomfort or burning for these users.
The Motus AY by DEKA is an innovative high-speed Alexandrite 755nm device that offers effective treatments to light and dark skin tones simultaneously. It provides faster treatments, higher pulse rates, contact cooling to ensure a comfortable experience as well as being more powerful than other lasers allowing users to reach optimal results faster than before with less treatments needed.
Alexandrite is an extremely durable gemstone rated at 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, capable of withstanding moderate knocks and extreme heat. Although it’s easy to polish this gemstone, care must still be taken when handling. Color options range from yellow, red and blue hues; most commonly it can be seen with deep green hues featuring needle-like inclusions like crystals twinning platelets mica fluorite or rutile inclusions.
When it comes to laser hair removal, exfoliation should be avoided before and after each session to avoid overly sensitive skin and painful treatments. Waxing and plucking should also be avoided as these activities interfere with laser treatments’ effectiveness and should be visited every 4-6 weeks by your laser technician for optimal results.
Diode
Diode laser hair removal offers an alternative to conventional methods like shaving and waxing for permanent hair removal, using pulses of laser energy to disable hair follicle growth for good. When light pulses absorb melanin pigment from hair follicles, which then target them with laser energy pulses absorbed by melanin pigment, melanin becomes disabled, thus stopping future hair growth from taking place within that follicle; once treated it won’t produce hair again!
Treatment sessions typically last only a few sessions, depending on each client’s aesthetic goals and skin tone. Session length can also depend on the size of treatment areas; larger areas may take an hour, while smaller zones can often be completed within 20 minutes.
Diodes are composed of two materials with distinct structures. One material, known as p-type, contains holes void of electrons that act as charge carriers while n-type has vacancies to receive electrons moving in their direction. When forward biased current passes through p-type material and forms what appears as short circuit. When reverse biased it cannot flow, leaving an open circuit.
When treating mixed-race participants, it is crucial that we consider their Fitzpatrick skin type and hair color so as to minimize potential side effects that might arise. Diode laser 805nm treatment has proven itself safe and effective on all kinds of skin.
Diode laser hair removal treatments are an efficient and safe alternative to Nd:YAG in terms of both side effects and efficiency, being capable of extracting even thinnest, finest hairs from darker skin tones. Diode lasers use vacuum systems to prepare clients before emitting pulses of light energy for safe and comfortable treatment sessions that minimize risk for burning or scarring, which is a particular concern among darker skin patients.
Nd: YAG
Nd:YAG laser crystal is one of the mainstays in solid-state laser systems and finds application across numerous fields of application. It’s physical properties – high laser gain efficiency and narrow linewidth provide exceptional beam quality for many different laser applications. Diode or lamp pumping options exist and it operates effectively both pulsed and continuous-wave (CW) modes.
The Nd:YAG laser emits an invisible wavelength of 1064nm light that penetrates deep into skin to target hair follicles’ blood supply, without damaging surrounding tissue – making it safe and suitable for all types and colors of skin. Nd:YAG can safely remove hair from dark skin while also effectively treating broken veins on its target area.
Nd:YAG laser tattoo removal treatments are widely favored, as its 1064nm wavelength absorbs well by black tattoo ink particles. When Q-switched, however, this laser produces another wavelength of 532nm that can effectively address other tattoo colors such as red, pink and orange tattoos.
Laser aestheticians utilize it extensively as it’s safe and effective on all skin types, providing safe hair removal and scar reduction procedures as well as treating vascular lesions such as spider veins or rosacea.
Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers can effectively and safely remove thick coarse hair on dark skin tones without risk. In addition, they can treat aging skin conditions and discolorations, reduce fine lines and wrinkles with its pulsing action, as well as treat discolorations of all kinds. A contact cooling system keeps heat at bay during treatment to help ensure patient comfort during sessions; patch tests should always be conducted first to make sure that laser is safe for you; this gives an idea of the feel of treatment sessions; also giving an idea of the length of treatments required in order to get results quickly enough!
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is an extremely popular permanent hair removal method. Electrolysis involves inserting a fine, pre-sterilized probe into each individual hair follicle without puncturing or harming the skin, using electricity to destroy dermal papillae that stop new hair growth from emerging; then destroying each follicle as the dermal papilla is destroyed along with any weak, undernourished new growth that appears from this destruction.
Electrolysis offers an effective alternative to laser hair removal that won’t damage or leave red-raw patches behind, yet is safe for all skin and hair colors. While treatment time for dense areas may increase due to one hair being treated at a time, electrolysis remains one of the only permanent solutions. Touch up sessions may need to take place over a period of years in order to make sure every hair has been destroyed completely.
Find an electrologist with both certification and an excellent reputation is of utmost importance when looking for permanent hair removal treatments. When scheduling appointments with electrologists, always consult beforehand with them in terms of training, equipment used and needle electrolysis as this will offer permanent hair removal treatments versus electric tweezers or photoepilators which do not.
Procedures may be uncomfortable depending on your pain tolerance and area being treated. Topical lidocaine before treatments can help numb the area to minimize discomfort; cold compresses should also be applied afterward for better results in terms of reduced redness or swelling.
Electrolysis should be performed indoors to minimize sun exposure, as this increases your risk of hyperpigmentation on your skin. Wearing long sleeves and pants as well as sunscreen are great ways to shield your skin following treatment with electrolysis.
Laser and electrolysis both offer permanent hair removal options, but both require patience as these procedures can be painful – particularly for larger treatment areas. But their results make the discomfort worthwhile, with lasers often costing more and working better for those with darker hair than electrolysis; but electrolysis remains an effective choice as it works regardless of hair color while not damaging skin in any way.
