Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair Removal Treatment Description:

The primary principle behind laser hair removal is selective photothermolysis (SPTL)[22]. Lasers can cause localized damage by selectively heating dark target matter, (melanin), in the area that causes hair growth, (the follicle), while not heating the rest of the skin. Light is absorbed by dark objects, so laser energy can be absorbed by dark material in the skin (but with much more speed and intensity). This dark target matter, or chromophore, can be naturally-occurring or artificially introduced.

Three separate laser technologies are most commonly used in the treatment of unwanted hair. The Alexandrite 755nm laser is highly effective for the treatment for hair removal on patients having skin types I - III. The NdYag 1064 nm laser is highly effective for hair removal on patients having skin types III-VI. Finally, the 810nm Diode laser technology is highly effective for hair removal on patients having skin types I-V.

While not as optimal as true laser for hair removal, Intense Pulse Light, (IPL) can also be used to treat hair removal on a wide variety of skin types. Most IPL systems are configured for hair removal, but it is a good idea to make sure the specific unit you decide on will meet your needs before finalizing a purchase.

More recently, a next generation method of energy delivery has emerged and it is particularly useful with the 810nm diode laser; the concept of "energy stacking." Recent studies have shown that more rapid doses of the same energy type but at lower intensity "energy stacking" offers the patient comparable results with significantly less pain. The FDP mode offered by the Emvera Diolux 810nm laser hair removal system offers one of the finest examples of this type of energy delivery on the market today.  The Emvera Diolux offers faster treatment speeds and more tunable treatment parameters than the previously developed Alma Soproano XL.  This new method of energy delivery allows the clinician to effectively treat unwanted hair with much less patient discomfort and it represents the evolution of a new paradigm in the field of laser hair removal.

More information about energy stacking:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0PDG/is_11_8/ai_n42544765/

More detailed information about Laser Hair Removal:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_hair_removal

Fitzpatrick Skin Types I-VI:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitzpatrick_skin_typing_test