Choosing the type of laser that will work best for your hair and skin type is the major factor in the outcome of your laser hair removal treatment.
The term “laser” is the acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Laser lights can be focused on tiny areas like hair follicles. Here, laser refers to the device or machine that emits the laser beam or light to the hair follicle.
The chromophore (pigment or melanin) in the hair follicle is destroyed when it absorbs the laser. Each treatment reduces hair growth by 10 to 25 percent. Five or more treatments are usually required to enjoy the long-term benefits of laser hair removal.
There are different types of laser hair removal machines and systems in use today. The most common are the ruby, diode, Nd: YAG and Alexandrite. They work based on the same principle of selective photo thermolysis but with different results depending on their wavelengths, expressed in nanometers (nm).
It’s a must that the laser matches with your skin color, hair color and hair texture (fine or coarse). For example, blonde, light red, grey or white hair lack enough pigment to absorb the laser beam. You may have to consider other hair removal methods.
Laser Hair Removal Systems
1. Ruby Laser
Ruby (694 nm) Laser is the oldest laser for hair removal treatment. It is recommended for people with fine, light hair and light or fair skin. It is not as fast as the other lasers because of its slow repetition rate. Ruby laser is not recommended for people with tanned or darker skin because of its shorter wavelength which is absorbed by the skin pigment before it can reach the hair follicle.
2. Nd: YAG Laser
“Nd” stands for Neodymium, while “YAG” stands for yttrium aluminum garnet, the laser’s active medium. This laser uses carbon as the chromophore. It should penetrate the hair follicle when applied as a skin lotion. However, there are concerns that carbon lotion may not penetrate enough to reach the hair follicle and that the laser light may cause it to spread out on the skin surface and create a tattoo-like effect.
The Nd: YAG laser is effective for all skin types and dark, coarse hair depending on the machine setting. It is not as effective as the other lasers for fine and white or light-colored hair. This laser has fast repetition rates allowing it to treat large skin areas quickly.
3. Diode Laser
The Diode laser (800-810 nm)is a beam of concentrated heat and light and heat from diode or semiconductor that is directed into the melanin in the hair follicles. The diode parameters can be changed to adjust the laser to a suitable wavelength. This laser is very effective for light to mid-toned skin and dark, fine hair. It is not as effective for light-colored hair and does not treat big areas quickly compared to other types of lasers.
4. Alexandrite Laser
Alexandrite laser (755 nm) is effective for fair or light to olive or mid-toned skin with medium to coarse dark hair. It is more effective on thin hair compared with other hair removal lasers. This laser is not for people with dark skin. Its spot size is large and the repetition rate is high which makes Alexandrite the faster than the diode, ruby, and Nd: YAG Laser. It can treat a wide area like the chest or back in less than half an hour.
IPL Hair Removal
The Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is not included because it’s not a laser.
Three-Laser Hair Removal
Each type of laser has its advantages and limitations. However, you can stop analyzing which types would be most effective for you by choosing Soprano Ice Platinum. The soprano is a laser hair removal system that combines the effectiveness of three laser technologies – Alex, Speed, and YAG. It offers hair removal treatment that is proven safe, virtually painless and effective for all skin types.
