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…
MasterClass – Birmingham – Sept 2022 – Details
The 1st DermaLase MasterClass wil be held in September this year in Birmingham. The detals of this event can be downloaded in a pdf format from here. Here is an outline of the topics which will be discussed – if you have a particular topic which you wish to be addressed, please let us know.… Continue reading MasterClass – Birmingham – Sept 2022 – Details
How much light energy actually emerges from IPL filters and reaches the skin surface?
When we set a fluence on an IPL unit, it is based on ALL of the light energy coming from the handpiece. However, each filter will absorb some of that energy – it is supposed to! The filters are designed to ‘block’ certain wavelengths, so that only the desired wavelengths reach the skin surface. So,… Continue reading How much light energy actually emerges from IPL filters and reaches the skin surface?
What is the key to success with laser/IPL treatments?
The answer to this question is very simple – TEMPERATURE!! Think about what we’re trying to do when treating hair, blood vessel or benign pigmentation. We are trying to ‘kill’ certain cells, using heat. That’s why we fire laser light energy at them. We’re trying to force them to absorb that light energy, convert it… Continue reading What is the key to success with laser/IPL treatments?
Not all hair removal lasers and IPLs are the same!!
I’ve been doing a lot of work recently, looking at how lasers and IPLs differ when considering hair removal. They’re all different!! In various ways… Comparing diode lasers with Nd:YAG lasers with alexandrite lasers is like comparing chalk with cheeses. It is quite tricky trying to compare these devices properly. Add in IPLs and it… Continue reading Not all hair removal lasers and IPLs are the same!!
SHR – how good is it?
OK, this might cause a bit of controversy! As many of you know, I’m not a fan of the SHR technique. Why? Because I think it’s very inefficient in the hair removal process. So I made this little video to explain my thoughts on this technique. If you have other thoughts and ideas, please let… Continue reading SHR – how good is it?
“Pain free” hair removal. Is it real?
We often hear, these days, about “pain free” hair removal, with various lasers, usually diodes. But, is it true? Well, let’s look at this more closely… The aim with laser, or IPL, treatment of hair is to induce enough heat in the stem cells that stimulate hair growth in the follicles. To do this, we… Continue reading “Pain free” hair removal. Is it real?
Selective Photothermolysis – an in-depth explanation
Back in 2016 (I think) I gave a talk to the American Society of Lasers Surgery and Medicine about the theory of Selective Photothermolysis. This is the theory which underpins all of today’s photothermal laser/IPL treatments. In this talk I discuss the idea behind thermal relaxation time and how it ‘fits’ with treatments. In fact,… Continue reading Selective Photothermolysis – an in-depth explanation
Laser/IPL Hair Removal – How many follicles do we kill each treatment?
All hair follicles grow according to a cycle – ‘anagen, catagen, telogen’. The follicle germative cells promote anagen hair growth at consistently regular intervals resulting in periods of active growth, followed by inactivity. The duration of these periods depends on the which part of the body is being considered. I created a computer model to… Continue reading Laser/IPL Hair Removal – How many follicles do we kill each treatment?
“The hairs grow back after the treatment…”
I often see laser/IPL users making comments like “the hair grows back after a treatment…”, or something similar. When we treat hair with light energy, we cannot expect to kill all of those in the anagen phase (laser/IPL light can kill only the anagen follicles). In reality, most operators might kill between 50 to 80% of… Continue reading “The hairs grow back after the treatment…”
More on the ‘best’ intervals between laser/IPL hair removal sessions…
Choosing the ‘best’ time between laser/IPL hair removal sessions is not simple. It depends on the hair growth cycles of the hairs we are targeting, which is not the same across the body. That means that we need to consider the body area when deciding how long to leave between sessions. We can only target… Continue reading More on the ‘best’ intervals between laser/IPL hair removal sessions…
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