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In 1996, the first laser was cleared by the
FDA for use by the public. Prior to the introduction of lasers
for hair removal, electrolysis was the only form of long term
or permanent hair removal. Electrolysis is a tedious, invasive,
and painful process that involves inserting a needle into
each hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to
destroy them one at a time. Electrolysis often requires years
of treatments at regular intervals. Laser non-invasively treats
hundreds of hair follicles simultaneously. So, in a few minutes,
lasers can effectively treat an area that would take over
an hour with electrolysis.
Presently, in the year 2001, melanin is the
most common target to destroy hair follicles with lasers utilizing
wavelengths from 590 to 1200 nano meters. Melanin, being the
target chromophore, presents a delicate problem for darker
skin patients IV,V, and VI. (see chart)
The high amounts of melanin in the epidermal regions of the
darker skinned patients absorb too much of the laser and can
therefore heat up and burn. Further, the contrast between
hair (the target of the laser) and skin also is often not
good. In comparison, the lighter skin types I, II, and III
epidermal regions can relatively ignore the laser and have
much less chance of heating up and burning. Unlike the darker
skin types, there does exist a good contrast between hair
and skin and therefore much higher more effective temperatures
can be used on lighter skin types.
Finally, active suntans can not be safely treated
by lasers with wavelengths 590-810nm. Active suntans excite
the melanocyte cells to produce new melanin to protect the
skin. Only the Yag laser (1064nm) can be safely and aggressively
used on sun tanned skin because this longer wavelength travels
past the skin surface and leaves the epidermis free of the
excessive heat and targets the deeper hair follicle.
The Ruby and Alexandrite lasers are similar
shorter wavelength systems. Both systems can remove hair.
However, both frequently produce side effects such as pigmentary
changes (lightening or darkening of the skin), or worse, for
patients of all but white skin.
While claims have been made regarding safety
in treating darker skin types such as type 3, or even 4 and
5 (brown skin), I would not recommend using these two lasers
for treating unwanted hair in any skin type other than very
white skin.
Ruby lasers (Epi-Laser) had side effects of
hypo and hyper-pigmentation (lightening and darkening of the
skin). These side effects can be permanent and very undesirable.
Following the Epi-Laser was the introduction of the Sharplan
Ruby and Alexandrite lasers (Epi-Touch). These lasers had
fewer side effects than the Epi-Laser; however, they undertreated
the hair follicles and require years of treatment to even
potentially be considered permanent.
The Diode laser systems include: SLP 1000, F1
Diode, Light Sheer, MeDioStar, LaserLite, Epistar and Apex
800.
These Diode systems deliver a longer wavelength
than the Ruby (694 nm wavelength) and the Alexandrite (755
nm wavelength) lasers, but a shorter wavelength than the Nd:
Yag (1064 nm wavelength) laser. This longer wavelength enables
the light to penetrate deeper and is theoretically safer than
shorter wavelength lasers because it can better avoid the
melanin pigment in the skin's epidermis. The Diode laser's
longer wavelength of light thereby penetrates into the hair
follicle without causing as much epidermal injury as the Ruby
or the Alexandrite
Still, however, the Lightsheer can burn
skin types IV, V, and VI very badly, if improperly used. Skin
type IV's can require 1.5 to 2.5 years of treatments with
the older original Lightsheer Diode laser to reach a permanent
result or permanent reduction status. The new upgraded Lightsheer
with longer durations can more aggressively be used on Skin
types IV, V, VI and sun tanned skin! Hopefully this will now
reduce the number of appointments for Skin types IV, V, VI
patients. Skin types IV, V, and VI can easily hyperpigment
with the original Lightsheer Diode if the technician is not
careful. The new upgraded Lightsheer Diode has less chance
of the hyperpigmentation problem. The Lightsheer is safely
used on skin types I, II, and light III's and can yield great
results, if the operator performs aggressive treatment parameters.
Several Long Pulse Lasers were released for
sale and received FDA clearance for hair removal. Among these
are the Lasersceop Lyra and the Altus Medical Coolglide..
The Laserscope Lyra company employs the patented cooling system
of world famous Dr. Rox Anderson of Wellman Labs, making the
Lyra the SAFEST one of the safest lasers that has been invented!
The patented cooling device cools the skin before, during,
and after the laser has treated the skin. It is fabulous for
type VI skin as well as the best there is for skin types V
and coarse hair type IV. Fine hair IV is difficult for any
laser and requires many more treatments. The Lyra can also
be used safely in all tanned skin types II through VI. This
is a big breakthrough for many patients who enjoy the sun.
Many of the shorter wavelengths lasers such
as Ruby, Alexandrite and Epilight appear to be destroying
fine hair but actually cannot. These shorter wavelength devices
create a dreat deal of surface heat and trauma and melt down
the hairs at the surface but often fail to penetrate the important
root target and the hair then "re-grows."
The Altus Medical Coolglide has considerable
power and low durations but does NOT employ the patented cooling
system which gives the Lyra the ability to much more safely
treat the skin. The Coolglide has a cooled plate which is
dragged along the skin before the operator fires in that particular
area. The Coolglide is totally dependent on an extremely alert
operator moving at a very regular steady pace otherwise the
skin can quickly regain its normal temperature. If the operator
fires on uncooled skin, burns can result. The most horrible
burns of any laser hair removal system we have seen since
1996 have been from the Altus Medical Coolglide.
The Laserscope Lyra also provides excellent
laser vein removal. In fact, the Lyra represents the most
advanced approach to laser hair removal and vascular lesion
treatment available today. It combines the longest available
wavelength and the Company's unique Extended Duration Pulse
(EDP) technology. This combination provides optimal results
through deep penetration to impair hair growth or to treat
unattractive lesions.
To diminish patient discomfort, Lyra's active
cooling module minimizes heat exposure into the surrounding
tissue before, during, and after exposure. The integrated
SmartScan Plus™ scanner is computer controlled, ensuring
consistently safe and effective performance.
These systems deliver the widest range of light;
515 nm to 1200 nm (including blue, yellow, green, red, and
infrared light).
The quality of the light delivered can vary
significantly from very short (1millisecond) to very long
(1200 milliseconds) total durations and from 1 to 4 pulses
or segments of light.
The capabilities of each of these machines vary.
EpiLight is the most specific and advanced for hair removal.
PhotoDerm is the original machine developed for successfully
treating facial Rosacea, facial blood vessels, leg veins,
and other blood vessels.
EpiLight is a specialized improvement of PhotoDerm
developed to specifically treat unwanted hair. The SuperFast
EpiLight is currently the fastest machine available for hair
removal. The SuperFast EpiLight combined with my Ultimate
Light™ method enable me to treat an entire back in approximately
30 minutes with gentle, fast, effective, and long-term results.
Ultimate Light™ pulsed light can safely
and effectively treat ALL skin types ranging from white to
black. All skin colors and hair colors, except white hair,
respond to Ultimate Light™ treatment. Patients find Ultimate
Light less painful than laser treatment, electrolysis, and
waxing.
Side effects are rare, but may involve a temporary
change of skin color (lightening or darkening) that can last
for several weeks or months. At the time of treatment, all
patients should be at their lightest skin color. It is safer
to treat the darkest skinned patient who is at his lightest
than to treat a light skinned patient that has been recently
tanned!
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