Another successful MasterClass, this time in Glasgow. So many ‘light bulb’ moments, according to our attendees. Some came from America (Jim and Lorena), one from Northern Ireland (Natasha – for the second time!!), a very nice chap (Bruno) from Belgium and many from across the UK. We also had our first virtual MC, transmitting live… Continue reading Another successful MasterClass in Glasgow, Feb 24
My blog posts in an online book format
I’ve put many of my posts together into an online pdf. This makes easier find some of my articles various topics… https://online.flipbuilder.com/rbhw/zeal/mobile/index.html Enjoy, Mike.
Manufacturers’ settings – what is wrong with these?
I reckon around 85% of my training clients have been previously trained elsewhere, often by their equipment suppliers/manufacturers. I always ask them why they have come to me when they have already been trained. Their answer is always the same – “I don’t understand what I’m doing!” One client had received her training from a… Continue reading Manufacturers’ settings – what is wrong with these?
Here is a list of my blog posts covering laser/IPL hair removal, tattoos, blood vessels, physics, MasterClasses and other stuff… (updated June 2023)
Last update – 15.6.23 Below are links to my blog posts… Laser/IPL Manufacturer’s Settings – What is wrong with these? What are the main differences between lasers and IPLs? Laser/IPL Hair Removal Fundamentals of Laser/IPL Hair Removal – online now! Laser Output Powers – How important is this? More About Laser Power Outputs. With videos… Laser-skin… Continue reading Here is a list of my blog posts covering laser/IPL hair removal, tattoos, blood vessels, physics, MasterClasses and other stuff… (updated June 2023)
Fundamentals of Laser/IPL Hair Removal – online now!
The latest chapter of our eBook is now available online for your perusal. We have ‘hidden’ some pages – the ‘best’ ones, in our opinion, because we don’t want to give away all the good stuff too cheaply… This is the online pdf version which is outlines most of the contents. It will give you… Continue reading Fundamentals of Laser/IPL Hair Removal – online now!
What are the threshold (minimum) fluences needed to ensure successful hair removal?
This is not easy to determine! It depends on the type of device you are using – IPL, diode, alexandrite, Nd:YAG laser. It depends on the depth of the follicles. It depends on the hair colour. I built a computer model to try to calculate these fluences. It considers all of the above, but today… Continue reading What are the threshold (minimum) fluences needed to ensure successful hair removal?
How Many Laser/IPL Hair Removal Sessions do I need to get a Good Result?
I’m often asked ‘how many hair removal sessions will I need using laser or IPL?’ This is not an easy question to answer because it depends on a high number of variables including your equipment, your training and, of course, your patient/client. But, I have tried to answer this question using a computer model of… Continue reading How Many Laser/IPL Hair Removal Sessions do I need to get a Good Result?
What is the ‘best’ interval between hair removal sessions (after treatment by lasers or IPLs)? Part 2.
I wrote a blog post back in September 2021 discussing my thoughts on the how to determine the optimum interval between laser/IPL hair sessions. It proved very popular amongst my readers. But, as soon as I posted it I began to doubt my own conclusions. Back then I suggested that we should wait for an… Continue reading What is the ‘best’ interval between hair removal sessions (after treatment by lasers or IPLs)? Part 2.
My history in lasers and IPLs and other stuff…
I started in medical laser clinical research in 1986 as part of my Ph.D. studies in the Bioengineering Unit, Strathclyde University and in Canniesburn Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit. After gaining my degree in Physics and Astronomy from Glasgow University in 1984, I decided not to get a ‘proper job’ for a few more years,… Continue reading My history in lasers and IPLs and other stuff…
New training web site
I’ve just launched a new training web site at DermaLaseTraining.com. It includes all the courses I can deliver plus a new shop where I will be selling some items which you may find useful. If you think I should include anything else in this new site please let me know. Likewise, if you find any… Continue reading New training web site
New Book – Medical/Aesthetic Lasers & IPLs and Skin Treatments
I have been asked many times in the last few years for a recommendation for an introductory book describing the application of lasers and IPLs in aesthetic treatments. My answer was always the same – “There isn’t one!!” So, I finally took the plunge and decided to write one, with my colleague PA Torstensson. The… Continue reading New Book – Medical/Aesthetic Lasers & IPLs and Skin Treatments
My history in lasers, IPLs and rock ‘n’ roll…
A brief history of my life in medical lasers and IPLs…
What is the real target in hair when treating with lasers or IPLs?
NOTE – In the first draft of this post, I made an error on my ratio calculations. This has now been rectified. As with all light-based laser/IPL treatments, we require a target (a chromophore) which will absorb the light energy preferentially. In hair, with the visible and near infrared wavelengths that we typically use today,… Continue reading What is the real target in hair when treating with lasers or IPLs?
How does fluence relate to depth in the skin?
What is the relationship between fluence at the skin surface and depth into the skin? This is very important. When we fire laser/IPL light energy into the skin, it encounters many, many, many atoms and molecules, which determines how that light will progress and where it will end up. As soon as it hits the… Continue reading How does fluence relate to depth in the skin?
Comparing laser light with IPL light energy in the skin
I often see comments online claiming things like ‘IPL doesn’t penetrate as deeply as laser’ or ‘IPL is ineffective in treating hair/blood/potatoes/whatever…’ These comments are usually never based on the science. So, here’s the science… Light is light! Hope this helps, Mike. Our next MasterClass will be held in Liverpool in June of this year.… Continue reading Comparing laser light with IPL light energy in the skin
Testing the “Neatcell Picosecond Laser Pen” device…
A laser colleague of mine sent me a lovely wee gift – the “Neatcell” pen (thanks Neil!). The company’s web site is here (it’s full of contradictions and discrepancies!!). They claim that this device is a “picosecond laser”. I’m not so sure… Firstly, picosecond lasers are not simple devices. They use a technique called ‘mode-locking’… Continue reading Testing the “Neatcell Picosecond Laser Pen” device…
Why does spot size affect penetration depth?
This is a little tricky because it’s not intuitive. We know, from both clinical tests and computer modelling, that larger spot sizes result in more energy/fluence reaching deeper into the dermis. But how does that happen? Well, it all comes down to scattering. The dermis is mostly composed of collagen fibres. These fibres are all… Continue reading Why does spot size affect penetration depth?
The ‘kill-stun-null’ zones in laser/IPL hair removal – why some treatments don’t work…
Whilst chatting to a young lady about her laser hair removal issues, I thought of a better way to explain why treatments often don’t work. I realised that we need to visualise the skin as a sequence of ‘zones’ – the ‘kill’ zone where the hairs will always be successfuly destroyed; the ‘stun’ zone where… Continue reading The ‘kill-stun-null’ zones in laser/IPL hair removal – why some treatments don’t work…
New, downloadable booklets
I am currently writing a series of ‘bite-sized’ booklets on various topics including laser/IPL treatments, laser safety, the technologies we use today and variouis other stuff. These will be uploaded to my new web site as, and when, they come along. The first two are now available: The first one is a ‘general’ introduction to… Continue reading New, downloadable booklets
Why is suppliers’ training so dismal?
I was recently asked by a lovely bunch of ladies to train them in the use of their laser, for hair removal. They all had the same device and were all having some difficulties in achieving good results. They had all been trained by their supplier’s trainers, but felt that they were not getting the… Continue reading Why is suppliers’ training so dismal?
Laser Safety Glasses and how to ‘read’ them.
Laser safety glasses must show some information on what they are supposed to protect your eyes against. This must include the wavelength(s) and the protection levels. These are to ensure that your eyes are fully and properly protected during laser procedures. This post will explain the markings you should see on our laser safety glasses.… Continue reading Laser Safety Glasses and how to ‘read’ them.
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