Laser hair removal provides an effective method to get rid of unwanted body hair without shaving, waxing or plucking – while simultaneously decreasing problems like folliculitis and pigmentation changes.
Laser hair removal treatments vary significantly in their effectiveness and side effects, so selecting an experienced provider with adequate equipment is vital for successful removal.
Ruby
Unwanted hair growth is a serious and persistent problem for many people. Lasers offer an easy and safe solution with relatively painless treatments available on the market today – however not all systems are created equal! There are five most widely-used laser hair removal technologies: Ruby, Alexandrite, Diode, IPL and Nd: YAG laser systems which each come with unique advantages and disadvantages; understanding these differences will enable you to select an appropriate laser system for your individual skin type.
Ruby lasers were the first hair removal technology introduced to market, in 1960. Even though their effectiveness has been studied extensively over time, their primary drawbacks include difficulty treating darker skin tones and their slow repetition rate; both can create discomfort for some patients.
Ruby lasers use wavelengths of 694nm to target melanin in hair follicles and cause thermal coagulation or vaporization, ultimately inhibiting future hair follicle growth. They are recommended for people with light to medium skin tones.
A ruby laser typically features a pulse duration of 0.12-seconds, making its pulse short enough for thermal coagulation of hair follicles without damage to epidermis or surface skin layers. Unfortunately, studies conducted with ruby lasers demonstrated only partial long-term hair reduction was accomplished.
Study participants exposed six test areas on their thighs and backs with high-fluence normal-mode ruby laser pulses and counted terminal hairs at these test sites; their counts were then compared against control sites which had been either shaved or wax-epilated previously. After receiving only one treatment with laser exposure, all participants experienced transient alopecia; however, no significant difference in hair count could be observed either six months or two years postexposure. Hematoxylin-eosin sections of the test sites showed that ruby laser treatment caused miniaturization of the follicles at each of the sites tested, most likely as a direct result or injury to other structures that control formation of an anagen cycle bulb.
Alexandrite
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular treatment used to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. It offers a safe, painless alternative to electrolysis and waxing. Alexandrite laser emits short wavelengths of light that target melanin pigment in hair follicles; ideal for light to olive skin tones but effective on darker complexions too. With quick pulse durations and high repetition rates for efficient use and an advanced cooling system protecting from thermal effects of the laser beam, laser hair removal treatments provide long-term removal without discomfort for patients undergoing laser treatment sessions.
Alexandrite laser therapy is an ideal choice for individuals with light to medium skin tones as its low threshold for surface damage makes treatment relatively quick and can treat large areas quickly. Unfortunately, this method may lead to slight discoloration in patients who have very dark skin; but that should not be taken as an endorsement against its use.
Alexandrite lasers are among the most frequently used for hair removal due to their effectiveness and safety. However, it’s essential that one understands all of their differences; various wavelengths absorb melanin pigment differently and each type of laser has been tailored specifically for a given skin tone and hair color.
Multiple studies have evaluated the long-term efficacy of laser hair removal using alexandrite, diode and Nd:YAG systems. Participants included untanned Turkish women of Fitzpatrick skin types II to IV in which electrolysis and laser treatments were carried out over 4 cm2 area in the axilla; their hair counts were assessed three and six months post first laser session.
The findings from this study revealed that alexandrite and diode lasers achieved similar hair reduction results. Nd:YAG laser had less of an impact, however. Furthermore, combination treatments using alexandrite and Nd:YAG did not enhance results further – this suggests future research should explore various combinations of technologies.
Diode
Diode lasers are currently the best technology for hair removal, being able to treat a range of skin types effectively and quickly. Furthermore, these treatments can also treat other conditions like vascular lesions and pigmentation; additionally they’re particularly well suited for underarms, bikini line and leg areas – safe yet fast treatments typically taking under an hour – making them the ideal solution for anyone wanting an easy yet fast solution for eliminating unwanted hair growth.
Diode lasers offer permanent hair reduction for most individuals; however, the number of sessions will depend on a range of factors such as hair colour and treatment area. Your doctor will discuss these concerns before your initial session begins.
Laser hair removal relies on matching wavelengths and pulse duration with melanin levels in hair follicles to effectively target melanin without harming other tissues, so that a laser can destroy them and prevent future growth. Diode lasers offer faster repetition rates that make them a suitable option for treating large body areas.
Diode lasers offer another distinct advantage for treating darker skin tones effectively. Their longer wavelength can penetrate deeper into the skin, targeting melanin in hair follicles without harming surrounding tissues, making this method ideal for hair removal on Fitzpatrick skin types I-III.
Diode lasers offer several distinct advantages over other hair removal technologies, including an inbuilt cooling system to protect skin from becoming overheated during treatment and minimize discomfort – making the experience as painless and comfortable as possible. Furthermore, the device can easily be adjusted to meet different patients’ needs – making it suitable both for professional and home use alike; additionally it reduces ingrown hairs by encouraging straight growth rather than curled locks of hair on other parts of your body like hands and face.
IPL
As is well-known, dark objects attract and absorb light energy and convert it to heat energy, leading us to feel much warmer when wearing dark clothing in summer than wearing white clothing. Hair removal lasers exploit this phenomenon to permanently eliminate unwanted hair follicles by targeting specific “dark target matter”, known as chromophores; such chromophores include naturally-occurring melanin or artificially introduced carbon or haemoglobin as primary targets chromophores for most hair removal lasers. Melanin remains as primary target matter among most hair removal lasers.
At their core, both IPL and laser technologies use light energy to convert to heat in order to destroy cells within the hair follicle that contribute to hair growth. But there are subtle technical distinctions that separate these methods.
IPL (intense pulsed light) utilizes a broad spectrum of visible light wavelengths instead of one focused beam like lasers do, enabling it to penetrate skin tissues more deeply than lasers – yet at the same time taking longer for permanent hair reduction results to materialise.
Due to this reason, IPL is often better suited for people with lighter skin and lighter hair than lasers; however, that does not imply it can’t treat darker skin tones or dark hair, and some lasers with filtering capabilities may even achieve comparable results in these circumstances.
Both IPL and laser treatments require multiple sessions for permanent hair reduction. Research suggests it can take four IPL or laser sessions before noticeable results become evident, though some devices can deliver these same results after only two treatments.
At both locations, both systems require a cooling device to protect against discomfort during treatment; however, studies have revealed that IPL may be slightly less painful than laser treatment – with Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers proving especially gentle.
IPL treatment is a safe and effective solution for permanent hair reduction in most people, without the risk of side effects lasting long-term. A consultation and patch test with one of our experts is conducted prior to starting treatment to make sure you’re suitable.
