Laser Hair Removal 101 (Part
1)
1)
Next to facial, laser hair removal is probably the mostcommonly performed cosmetic procedure in the Philippines, with underarm hair as
the most unwanted. The basic principle behind laser hair removal is selective heating
of melanin in the hair follicle, while keeping
the rest of the skin unharmed. Dark
objects absorb light, so laser energy can be absorbed by melanin in the hair
and skin. Light skin
and dark hair is an ideal combination, producing the best results, but new lasers
are now able to target black hair in darker skin tones.
Many clinics still offer hair removal by intense pulsed
light (IPL) and commonly but incorrectly promote this as “laser hair
removal.” IPL devices use full
light spectrum from xenon lamps, and are therefore technically
not lasers. Lasers use a single wavelength, leading to a
more precise and effective targeting of hair follicle.
light (IPL) and commonly but incorrectly promote this as “laser hair
removal.” IPL devices use full
light spectrum from xenon lamps, and are therefore technically
not lasers. Lasers use a single wavelength, leading to a
more precise and effective targeting of hair follicle.
Laser hair
removal has become popular because of its speed, safety, and effectiveness,
although results will depend upon the choice of laser technology used. These
lasers are characterized by their wavelength, measured in nanometers (nm).
removal has become popular because of its speed, safety, and effectiveness,
although results will depend upon the choice of laser technology used. These
lasers are characterized by their wavelength, measured in nanometers (nm).
Alexandrite(755 nm) is used only on pale skin and has the highest pain score. Nd:YAG (1064 nm) is the gold standard for olive (type IV) and dark (type V) skin. Diode (810
nm) laser is the gold standard for pale (type I) to medium (type III) skin, and has now been made safer and virtually painless with the new Super Hair Removal (SHR) technology.
Diode laser is the best option for the
typical Filipino skin, which has light brown (type III) to fair (type II) skin
tone. Painless diode laser is available at all SkinStation branches.
Spot size, or the width of the laser beam, affects
treatment. The width of the beam should be about four times as wide as the depth
of the target. Usual spot size used is about the size of a fingertip (8-18 mm).
Larger spot sizes help laser light penetrate deeper and make treatments more
effective.
treatment. The width of the beam should be about four times as wide as the depth
of the target. Usual spot size used is about the size of a fingertip (8-18 mm).
Larger spot sizes help laser light penetrate deeper and make treatments more
effective.
Lasers must have a range of pulse width or pulse duration of
5 to 100 milliseconds. Longer pulse widths are safer for darker skin, but
shorter pulse widths are more effective. Pulse
width must be matched with the right fluence or
energy level (measured in Joules/cm2) necessary to disable the follicles.
Fluence levels of 10 to 30 J/cm2 are typically used. Although a higher fluence
level can be more effective, it can also mean more pain.
5 to 100 milliseconds. Longer pulse widths are safer for darker skin, but
shorter pulse widths are more effective. Pulse
width must be matched with the right fluence or
energy level (measured in Joules/cm2) necessary to disable the follicles.
Fluence levels of 10 to 30 J/cm2 are typically used. Although a higher fluence
level can be more effective, it can also mean more pain.
Laser energy can have cumulative effect when introduced
repetitively in the same target area. Using this principle, it is now possible
to avoid painful laser procedure with the use of low fluence (4-8 J/cm2) and high
repetition rate (10 pulses per second). This is commonly referred to as Super
Hair Removal (SHR). Diode lasers with this new technology are virtually painless
and as effective, making SHR a popular alternative to waxing in Brazilian hair
removal. (Part 2 will be published on
June 19, 2012.)
repetitively in the same target area. Using this principle, it is now possible
to avoid painful laser procedure with the use of low fluence (4-8 J/cm2) and high
repetition rate (10 pulses per second). This is commonly referred to as Super
Hair Removal (SHR). Diode lasers with this new technology are virtually painless
and as effective, making SHR a popular alternative to waxing in Brazilian hair
removal. (Part 2 will be published on
June 19, 2012.)
______________________________________________________________________________________(Updated on February 21, 2013) This was published in the Lifestyle Section of Manila Bulletin on June 12, 2012. The author is the CEO of SkinStation. He
received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations
Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be
reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.
received the 2011 Outstanding Chemist Award from Professional Regulations
Commission for his achievements in the field of cosmetic chemistry. He can be
reached at fred.reyes@skinstation.ph.
