What’s the difference between the best laser for hair removal?
The Diode laser which works at 810 nanometres (nm) is certainly very effective for laser hair removal, though it is by no means the best and most effective for permanent hair reduction.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) systems used for laser hair removal operate at wavelengths of between 650nm and 1064nm. Lasers use one single wavelength, so one single colour of coherent, non-divergent light. Think of a single red laser pen often used at corporate presentations. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), on the other hand, which is made up of white light (like a light bulb, non-coherent and divergent), is made up of several different wavelengths generally spanning from 650nm to 1064nm. This means, you get a variety of different wavelengths all targeting the same hair follicle.
What About Skin Type?
Lasers like the Alexandrite (755nm) and the Diode (810nm) mean you cannot treat darker skin types. Laser hair removal is a constant balancing act between targeting the melanin in the hair shaft (and heating it to 60 degrees) and protecting the skin, which also contains pigment. The technical term for what we do when lasering your bikini line for instance, is called ‘selective Photothermolysis’, directly translated meaning ‘selectively heating a target suing light’. If the laser or IPL does not selectively heat the target (the hair) then it will also heat the skin and could cause burning and blistering. That’s why in the end it comes down to which is the best laser for your skin and hair type.
Best Laser For My Skin
If you are fair skinned with dark hair, Alexandrite is the best laser for this skin/hair combination. But if you skin is dark, you should only ever be treated with an Nd:YAG laser. You are probably asking what if I am mixed raced or brown skin types? At Laser Chic we have one of the latest technology laser machine, where we can mix the two lasers (Alexandrite and Nd:YAG) together to treat any skin type between white and black (mixed or brown skin types) safely and effectively.
Better To Be Safe Than Sorry!
So to sum it all up, the key thing to consider when choosing a laser clinic is whether your chosen clinic has a choice of lasers for your skin type. At Laser Chic we only operate medical grade lasers, meaning you get treated with whichever laser is most appropriate for your hair and skin type (Best Laser for Hair Removal), and not because it is the only system we happen to have. Our advice is, do your research. Always ask there is a choice of different lasers and whether your laser practitioner holds a specific qualification or whether they have simply received manufacturer training.
If you are still unsure if this treatment is the right choice for you, feel free to speak directly to our laser chic team in Hale today on 0161 445 6349 or book your free consultation online.
