Which Laser Is Best?

Consider this overview of the 5 main laser hair removal methods:

1. Ultimate Light™ or Pulsed Light (IPL)
Machines: EpiLight, PhotoDerm, Quantum, Aculight, or Vasculight.

Ultimate Light™ pulsed light can safely and effectively treat ALL skin types ranging from white to black.

2. The Diode Laser (800nm or 810 nm wavelength)

The Diode laser systems include: SLP 1000, F1 Diode, Light Sheer, MeDioStar, LaserLite, Epistar and Apex 800.

The Diode laser's longer wavelength of light thereby penetrates into the hair follicle without causing as much epidermal injury as the Ruby or the Alexandrite. This Diode laser can be used on darker skin colors than the Ruby or Alexandrite.

3. Nd: Yag (1064 nm wavelength)
The Nd: Yag laser systems include: CoolGlide, Medlite IV, Varia, Athos, Lyra, and Image.

The Nd: Yag is capable of treating all six skin colors. However, there is not sufficient evidence that this laser can produce effective long-term hair removal.

4. Ruby (694 nm wavelength)
The Ruby laser systems include: RubyStar and Palomar E2000.

5. Alexandrite (755nm wavelength)

The Alexandrite laser systems include: GentleLASE, Apogee, and EpiTouch Plus.

Not recommended using for treating unwanted hair in any skin type other than very white skin.

Credit: Harvey H. Jay, M.D.
For detailed information on each of the 5 systems listed above visit Dr. Jay's website:

http://www.laserhairremovalreview.com/5methods.html

When you go to get a "laser" treatment for hair removal, you may want to make sure you are being treated with a true laser. There are many places that are using machinery that they call lasers, but do not target areas the way a true laser does.

(PRWEB) March 20, 2005 -- When you go to research Laser Hair Removal, beware of the "Laser" they are using. There are now many places that are using machinery that they call lasers, but that are not true lasers. An actual laser uses a specific wavelength, targeting a specific area.

There are other "lasers", such as IPL's that have multiple wavelengths and therefore are not real lasers. Technically they are “light devices.” These machines are not always able to target a specific area, and it is possible to get some good results, but why chance it when you can use a true laser to get good results all the time.

Another thing to watch for, if you have blonde, gray or white hairs, please do not be fooled to think that you will get permanent hair removal from a laser treatment. If the lasers, machinery, or IPL's are looking for pigment in the hair follicles and there is no pigment, then there is no logical way that this will work.

Some people think that the radio frequency devices, which basically use soundwaves; cause vibrations within molecules deep in the skin, create heat and cause destruction of hairs.

Nice theory, but there isn’t any proof that it works. Some studies show decreased hair, but neglect to mention that the hairs came back after a certain amount of time. If there is a possibility that the hair is going to re-grow, why chance it? That is a lot of money, discomfort and time that will be wasted.

As a technician myself at St. Louis Skin Solutions, www.stlouisskin.com, you will receive a true laser treatment, and you will not be treated if we feel that the treatment is a waste of your time or money. I just want everyone to know the facts. Ask a lot of questions, and make sure that you are getting a true laser treatment.