Information on Laser Hair Removal

'Marketing hype' is the wrong information to rely on when deciding upon
whether laser hair removal is right for you. Clinical data, although
somewhat complex, is the best place to start. You see, marketers will take
snippets of information from clinical studies, and tell you all the
positives, without telling you all the negatives also.

Laser hair removal is complex, and is very high-tech. To demonstrate the
complexities of the laser process, there are a number of different types of
lasers available, and each is suited to certain skin types/colors and
certain hair colors. Some work better with lighter skin and hair, others
work better with darker skin and hair.

Following is a run-down on the various types of lasers:

The Ruby Laser is the "original " hair removal laser. Its deep red color at
694nm is very well absorbed by the melanin pigment in hair, making it an
excellent choice for fine and light hair. However, because melanin is
present in the skin as well, the Ruby laser cannot be used on patients with
darker skin, including tanned skin. Because of this limitation, and their
high power consumption, slow repetition rate, and relatively small spot
size, Ruby lasers have become less popular for laser hair removal in recent
years.

The Alexandrite Laser produces reddish light just at the limit of visibility
at 755nm. With its large (up to 18mm) spot size and high repetition rate,
the Alexandrite laser is the fastest hair removal laser, and is suitable for
rapid treatment of large body areas in patient with light to olive
complexion. An entire back can be treated in less than 30 minutes. Along
with the Diode laser (below), the Alexandrite is the most widely used laser
for hair removal.

The Diode Laser is the simplest laser, consisting of a high power laser
diode emitting infrared (invisible) light at ~800-808nm. The longer
wavelength allows deep penetration into the skin and safety for darker skin
types, but with less efficacy for lighter and finer hair. Larger spot sizes
and fast repetition rates are available, allowing rapid treatment of large
body areas..

The long pulse Nd:YAG laser is the "newest" hair removal laser. Because it's
1064nm infrared beam is poorly absorbed by skin and pigment, it may be
safely used in all skin types, including tanned patients. Large spot sizes
and fast repetition rates allow large areas to be treated quickly.
Disadvantages include more discomfort during treatment and less effective
clearance for fine and light hairs than the other hair removal lasers.

IPL devices are not lasers, because they emit broadband, non-coherent light
of many different wavelengths. By using "cutoff filters", the wavelengths of
light emitted from these devices may be weighted toward the longer
wavelengths (700-1100nm) for use in hair removal. The large spot sizes make
rapid treatment of large areas possible. However, because most of the light
energy is in the shorter wavelengths, treatment of darker skin types is less
effective and more risky than with a laser properly selected for the
patient's skin and hair type.