Laser technology

Laser epilation technology functions according to the principle of "thermokinetic selectivity": Just like the sun whose light is more strongly absorbed by dark materials than by light ones, only the dark pigments, in this case the hair roots, also called hair follicles, are heated to over 65°C. In this way, they lose the ability to produce new hairs. The surrounding lighter tissue is heated to a lesser extent and thus does not suffer any damage.

In 1994 in the USA, the Photoderm ® was used as the first IPL device (intense pulsed light) for this treatment, which is called photoepilation. Shortly afterwards, the first ruby lasers followed, then, in a rapid development, the alexandrite laser, diode laser and long-pulsed NdYag lasers were introduced. The IPL devices, which initially caused serious side effects, have been significantly improved by the use of better filters and other technical changes.

There are now a whole series of different instruments for photoepilation. It is no longer a question of whether the alexandrite, diode, or NdYag lasers or IPL instruments are "better". The question is which skin or hair type the different instruments are to be used for and how much experience the operator has had with each instrument.

The laser devices

At present the following devices are used in the Bodyclinic:

"Apogee 9300" alexandrite laser

The "Apogee 9300" alexandrite laser was developed by Cynosure Inc. in the USA, in collaboration with some of the leading laser centres and laser users worldwide. In October 2004, the Bodyclinic introduced the sixth generation of this excellent device. With a performance of 25 joule/cm2 at 15mm ray diameter or 35 joule/cm2 at 12.5 mm ray diameter and 2 Hz pulse train, this is one of the strongest and fastest alexandrite lasers worldwide. Different pulse lengths may be selected and very high effectiveness is achieved in comparison to other devices. The procedure is extremely kind to the skin. The result is a safe, fast, and long-lasting removal of undesired hair.

Cutera Xeo Platform with:

"Cool-Glide Excell" NdYagLaser: The Cool-Glide Excell NdYag laser was developed by Altus–Medical Inc. for laser epilation treatment and the treatment of undesired superficial skin vessels. With a performance of 60 joule/cm2 at 10 mm ray diameter and 2 Hz pulse train, this is a very fast and efficient NdYag laser. Because of the penetration depth of light of this wavelength into the skin, higher dosages are usually too painful. The great advantage of this laser is that, because of the low absorption of this light by pigmented structures, the technique can be used even on tanned skin and very dark skin types. (A special possibility of use for this laser is, for example, chronic inflammation of beard follicles in the case of black Africans). However, there is also the disadvantage that hair roots with little pigmentation react less favourably to treatment.

"Titan" IPL device 1100-1800nm: Mit diesem speziell entwickelten intens pulsed light Gerät können die tieferen Hautschichten selektiv erwärmt werden. Durch die zugeführte Wärme ziehen sich die Kollagenfasern in der Haut zusammen und es kommt zu einer Hautstraffung.

"Limelight" IPL device 520-1200: a special "smart" IPL device with 3 wavelength settings (520; 560; 600-1200nm) and variable cooling setting of the sapphire glass, developed specially for the treatment of large areas of pigmentation (freckles, sun and age spots) and fine skin blood vessels/redness. (couperose/flushing).

"AcuTip" IPL device 500-635nm: a narrow-band intense pulsed light device, developed for pinpoint and precise treatment of blood vessels (e.g. spider veins) and isolated pigmented spots.

"Prowave770" IPL device: the latest development in the field of epilation devices, the “Prowave770” allows the light spectrum to be shifted in three levels. This makes epilation treatment possible even in brown skin. However, it still holds that the lighter the skin and the darker the hairs, the quicker and better the result.

CO2 Laser Luxor Novapuls LX-20SP

The Luxor Novapuls is a super-pulsed CO2 laser with flexible guiding fibres. It can be used for a number of different surgical procedures. In the Bodyclinic, it is used principally for the removal of small skin tumours, warts etc.

E-CO2, fractionated CO2 laser

The fractionated CO2 laser developed by Lutronic with extremely versatile settings for the treatment of the most varied skin problems.

© The Bodyclinic: 07/2010