If you’re interested in having facial or body hair removed, it is important to first learn about the different types of hair removal lasers. As non-invasive aesthetic laser technology has progressed, several lasers have been developed that work to effectively remove hair based on certain genetic factors such as hair color and skin tone. Before undergoing treatments for unwanted hair it is first important to learn about the various laser types in order to ensure that you will undergo safe and effective laser hair removal treatments.
Ruby Laser
Ruby lasers were the first laser hair removal lasers to be introduced and while effective in reducing unwanted hair, could only treat those patients with very light skin and very dark hair. The reason for this was that this rudimentary design found it difficult to distinguish between hair pigment and skin pigment; therefore only patients with a sharp contrast could undergo treatments. Ruby lasers are rarely if at all used for hair removal anymore, having been replaced by updated technology such as the alexandrite and the Nd: YAG laser.
Alexandrite Laser
The alexandrite laser is possibly the most widely recognized laser for hair removal, and its adjustable spot size and fast repetition rate increased both the speed and effectiveness of the laser hair removal process; and rendered the ruby laser practically inert. The Alexandrite laser utilizes a 755nm wavelength; this shorter wavelength makes this laser ideal for treating those patients with lighter skin tones and darker hair colors. Patients with darker skin tones were sometimes treated with the Alexandrite laser, laser technicians found that if the laser energy was turned down, patients could see effective results. But a significant amount of treatments were needed to remove hair once and for all.
Nd: YAG Laser
The Nd: YAG laser was the next laser to be introduced after the Alexandrite. While the Alexandrite revolutionized the effectiveness of the laser treatment, the Nd: YAG revolutionized its versatility. Like the Ruby laser, the Alexandrite was only proficient in treating those patients with lighter skin tones, but with the development of the Nd: YAG and its 1064nm wavelength, the YAG allowed those patients with darker skin tones to undergo safe and effective laser treatments.
Diode Laser
The Diode laser was later developed and is effective for both hair removal as well as other skin rejuvenation techniques. The Diode laser has a 780-1480nm laser wavelength which, depending on the procedure, allows patients with varying skin tones to see safe, effective results.
IPL Laser
IPL or intense pulse light lasers are similar to true lasers but differ slightly. True lasers such as the Alexandrite, Diode and Nd: YAG emit a single beam of continuous laser energy which penetrates to a specific depth beneath the outer layers of skin. IPL lasers use pulsed light technology which involves pulses of laser light being emitted which reach several different depths simultaneously. While this laser can be effective for skin rejuvenation treatments, many believe that pulsed laser energy is not as efficient as a continuous beam of laser light; therefore hair removal treatments are not as effective. Patients find that they can successfully achieve permanent hair reduction with IPL lasers but that it can often take more treatment when compared to true lasers.
Removing unwanted hair once and for all can be both rewarding and satisfying, but undergoing treatments with the correct laser is imperative for experiencing effective results.
Fill out a free and confidential laser hair removal consultation form to see if the treatment is right for you.