Posts Tagged ‘melanin’

One of the common questions and misconceptions associated with laser hair removal is the difference between laser and IPL (Intense Light Therapy). Many people are unaware that there is a difference, few understand how each works and the dangers associated.

IPL was originally created as flash lamps to treat other skin conditions (such as skin rejuvenation and thread vein treatment) and doctors and patients observed hair loss as a result. Therapeutic lasers were specifically developed to deliver premium hair reduction results.

SPL is another recently released hair removal technique and stands for Square Pulsed Light – it’s from the same family of devices as IPL or Intense Pulsed Light, but an SPL pulse lasts a fraction of a second longer. The light wavelength isn’t as intense, meaning it does the same job but your skin is less likely to be overheated and results may take longer.

In theory, laser hair removal , IPL and SPL all work in very much the same way. Both emit light to target the melanin (or colour) within the hair and kill the follicle. What characterizes laser and IPL is the light source and how it is distributed.

Lasers are single wavelength devices, meaning that the light source is focused and can target individual hairs. IPL on the other hand, emits a spectrum of various wavelengths meaning that the light source is scattered and not as targeted. Unlike authentic lasers, IPL is unable to use what is known as ‘selective photothermolysis’ (precise rapid heating of a select structure and surrounding areas ).

So, what does this mean for you? The spectrum of wavelengths emitted by IPL & SPL means many clients are needlessly exposed to unnecessary and or/ineffective radiation compared with the single wavelength from laser hair removal.

IPL hair reduction, unlike laser hair removal may cause skin damage of burning and scarring if not handled by a professional who knows what they are doing. As IPL nor SPL are not pin point accurate, the margin for error is much higher. Many also see inferior results and higher levels of regrowth from IPL as compared to laser hair removal.

The levels of pain experienced when undergoing laser hair removal, IPL or SPL are all very similar. The feeling is described as similar to being flicked by a hot rubber band. However, Candela lasers (used in most reputable clinics) features a dynamic cooling device in each machine to maximise client safety and comfort.

As laser hair removal IPL and SPL all target the hairs melanin, none are effective at treating grey, red or blonde hair. In the past, only IPL was successful at treating a range of skin types. This is no longer the case; laser hair removal now uses a range of lasers to treat the full spectrum of skin types.

Including:

 
Alexandrite lasers – Used to treat fair to mid toned skin with medium to course hair
Nd Yag – Used to treat darker types with course dark hair
Diode – Used to treat fair to mid toned skin and can also treat dark fine hair

If you’re looking for a permanent hair reduction solution, chose a reputable organization who use only medical grade lasers, these are specially designed for therapeutic use. Ensure all staff are fully trained to use the machines and the highest hygiene practices are up held.

Laser hair removal is the method of permanently removing or reducing hair using a process called “Selective Photothermolysis”. Selective Photothermolysis refers to the process of killing a certain selected structure (in this case the hair follicle) using heat that is generated by a beam of light. It is selective, because the light is only absorbed by certain structures, in this case the hair stub that is located in the bulb of the hair follicle. In electrolysis, the hair follicle is destroyed by an electric current that is inserted into the follicle through a small needle.

Because laser hair removal works by creating heat through the absorption of a light beam, whether it works or not depends on how effectively that light is absorbed by the hair in the follicle. The substance that absorbs this light energy is melanin, which is the brown pigment found in hair as well as skin. The best results are obtained when the hair is dark and thick, and surrounded by white skin. Waxing, tweezing or plucking, or using depilatories removes the hair from the follicle and this will make laser hair removal completely ineffective. Laser hair removal is also completely ineffective on blond, gray, or white hair and sometimes with lighter red hair as well. Small, finer hairs are difficult to remove with laser, but good results can often be obtained with shorter pulse-widths and higher fluence levels.

In order for laser hair removal to be effective, it is also extremely important to stay on schedule with the treatments. Since the laser only affects hair that are in the active part of the anagen stage of hair growth, the practitioner will schedule your sessions according to this hair growth cycle. If you miss an appointment, you need to reschedule it within a week of when it originally was scheduled or you will probably have to start all your laser treatments over again, and you will be unhappy with the results.

For darker skinned people, such as Hispanic, middle-eastern, Asian, or black people, a long-pulsed or variable pulsed Nd:Yag laser will get better results, be less painful, and safer. This laser has the ability to distinguish between the melanin in the hair and the melanin in the skin, which results in more laser energy being delivered to the hair rather than being dissipated through the surrounding skin tissue.

Laser hair removal technology has been around for well over ten years now, and has proven itself to be a very effective method of removing or reducing unwanted hair permanently.

Laser hair removal is the method of permanently removing or reducing hair using a process called “Selective Photothermolysis”. Selective Photothermolysis refers to the process of killing a certain selected structure (in this case the hair follicle) using heat that is generated by a beam of light. It is selective, because the light is only absorbed by certain structures, in this case the hair stub that is located in the bulb of the hair follicle. In electrolysis, the hair follicle is destroyed by an electric current that is inserted into the follicle through a small needle.

Because laser hair removal works by creating heat through the absorption of a light beam, whether it works or not depends on how effectively that light is absorbed by the hair in the follicle. The substance that absorbs this light energy is melanin, which is the brown pigment found in hair as well as skin. The best results are obtained when the hair is dark and thick, and surrounded by white skin. Waxing, tweezing or plucking, or using depilatories removes the hair from the follicle and this will make laser hair removal completely ineffective. Laser hair removal is also completely ineffective on blond, gray, or white hair and sometimes with lighter red hair as well. Small, finer hairs are difficult to remove with laser, but good results can often be obtained with shorter pulse-widths and higher fluence levels.

In order for laser hair removal to be effective, it is also extremely important to stay on schedule with the treatments. Since the laser only affects hair that are in the active part of the anagen stage of hair growth, the practitioner will schedule your sessions according to this hair growth cycle. If you miss an appointment, you need to reschedule it within a week of when it originally was scheduled or you will probably have to start all your laser treatments over again, and you will be unhappy with the results.

For darker skinned people, such as Hispanic, middle-eastern, Asian, or black people, a long-pulsed or variable pulsed Nd:Yag laser will get better results, be less painful, and safer. This laser has the ability to distinguish between the melanin in the hair and the melanin in the skin, which results in more laser energy being delivered to the hair rather than being dissipated through the surrounding skin tissue.

Laser hair removal technology has been around for well over ten years now, and has proven itself to be a very effective method of removing or reducing unwanted hair permanently.

Laser hair removal is the method of permanently removing or reducing hair using a process called “Selective Photothermolysis”. Selective Photothermolysis refers to the process of killing a certain selected structure (in this case the hair follicle) using heat that is generated by a beam of light. It is selective, because the light is only absorbed by certain structures, in this case the hair stub that is located in the bulb of the hair follicle. In electrolysis, the hair follicle is destroyed by an electric current that is inserted into the follicle through a small needle.

Because laser hair removal works by creating heat through the absorption of a light beam, whether it works or not depends on how effectively that light is absorbed by the hair in the follicle. The substance that absorbs this light energy is melanin, which is the brown pigment found in hair as well as skin. The best results are obtained when the hair is dark and thick, and surrounded by white skin. Waxing, tweezing or plucking, or using depilatories removes the hair from the follicle and this will make laser hair removal completely ineffective. Laser hair removal is also completely ineffective on blond, gray, or white hair and sometimes with lighter red hair as well. Small, finer hairs are difficult to remove with laser, but good results can often be obtained with shorter pulse-widths and higher fluence levels.

In order for laser hair removal to be effective, it is also extremely important to stay on schedule with the treatments. Since the laser only affects hair that are in the active part of the anagen stage of hair growth, the practitioner will schedule your sessions according to this hair growth cycle. If you miss an appointment, you need to reschedule it within a week of when it originally was scheduled or you will probably have to start all your laser treatments over again, and you will be unhappy with the results.

For darker skinned people, such as Hispanic, middle-eastern, Asian, or black people, a long-pulsed or variable pulsed Nd:Yag laser will get better results, be less painful, and safer. This laser has the ability to distinguish between the melanin in the hair and the melanin in the skin, which results in more laser energy being delivered to the hair rather than being dissipated through the surrounding skin tissue.

Laser hair removal technology has been around for well over ten years now, and has proven itself to be a very effective method of removing or reducing unwanted hair permanently.

The Tria home laser hair removal system is a product that is getting a huge boost in buzz thanks to its FDA approval as a legitimate permanent hair removal solution. Hype aside, the question is not only if it will work, but will it work for you, is it safe, and does it make sense for you to buy? Laser hair removal is a proved method for permanent results, but those results are not equal for all, and in some cases the Tria nor any laser hair removal system will work.

The basic premise of laser hair removal is that the laser reacts with the melanin in skin to work its way to the root of hair follicles which it then burns out so the hair will not grow back. The theory is simple and it works well for most people. Before we go any further let’s discuss who it will work the best for and who it is not suited for. People that have very fair skin and dark hair are the best candidates to achieve successful results. People with light hair -natural blonds specifically, and people with dark skin are the worst candidates. The laser simply has too much trouble identifying the are to be affected or in the cases of those with dark skin the laser may cause burns to the skin rather than the follicle root.

The Tria laser hair remover has one thing going for it aside from FDA approval which is of extreme importance and that is safety. Before the unit will emit a beam you have to remove the base of the unit and hold it against your skin until you get the green light. It takes about a second. You then hold it up to the main body of the unit that contains the laser so the green light triggers the red light on the unit to go green. You put the charger back in its place and you are ready to go.

The Tria has three settings – low, medium, and high. Low is the least effective but also the least painful. Medium works pretty well for most people, but of course the high setting is really the best. While I anticipated pain akin to what I’ve experienced from commercial laser hair removal units, the pain associated to the Tria on the high setting wasn’t too bad, no worse than a rubber band being snapped against your skin. Some may tolerate pain a little worse than others, but the Tria isn’t so much pain as mild discomfort you adjust to rather quickly.

The Tria is easy to work with and it only took about 40 minutes to completely finish one leg – I have a particularly long leg so for others it may go quicker. There were no hitches in the the Tria’s use nor were there any moments it seemed as if