Laser technology is used for the permanent removal of hair. As with all lasers, this technology is hinged on using monochromatic light of a particular wave length to damage the root of the hair follicle. Laser hair removal is relatively new and as is the case with all new products, innovations come thick and fast creating a myriad of choices that all claim to give excellent results.
There are 5 basic systems that use laser technology for hair removal:
1. Ultimate light
2. Diode laser
3. Nd-Yag laser
4. Alexandrite laser
5. Ruby laser
Ultimate light
This technology utilizes the intense pulse light technology.
Machines that utilize this technology platform include:
• EpiLight
• PhotoDerm
• Quantum/ AcuLight, or VascuLight.
Ultimate light machines have the widest range of light spanning from 515 to 1200 nm.
Diode laser
The diode laser has a wavelength of 800- 810 nm making it a more limited machine when compared to the Ultimate Light platform. This technology is also the most recent of all these technologies.
Machines that work on this platform include:
• SLP 1000
• F1 Diode
• Light Sheer
• MeDioStar
• LaserLite
• Epistar
• Apex 800
Nd: Yag
This technique has a relatively long wavelength of 1064 nm. Only Ultimate Light has a longer range. This technology is reputed to be safe for all skin types and colors. What is lacking is evidence that the effects of this treatment are long term. This technology was originally used for short term hair removal and usually there was complete hair re-growth within six months.
The Nd-Yag laser systems include:
• CoolGlide
• Image
• Athos
• Medlite IV
• Varia
• Lyra
Alexandrite
This technology has a wave length of 755nm. This is much shorter than the Ultimate Light technology. This technique has known side effects and especially in pigmentation. As a result, some skin colors are not recommended for these techniques. Generally white skin is not affected but as there is increased pigmentation, there is increased risk of darkening or lightening of the skin.
Some of the options here include:
• GentleLASE
• EpiTouch Plus
• Apogee
Ruby
The ruby laser has the shortest wavelength at 694 nm.
This machine has been plagued by side effect issues. Pigment changes are common; skin will either darken or become lighter. For this reason, this technique is recommended for white skin only
The Ruby laser systems include:
• RubyStar and
• Palomar E2000.
