The world of lasers and IPL systems is full of physics terms and expressions. Many of these are quite daunting to non-physicists and we tend to forget that not everyone is a nerd!! So, here’s a breakdown of some of those terms…. You can download a pdf version of this post here. Wavelength – colour… Continue reading De-mystifying the physics jargon behind light-based treatments
Author: Mike Murphy
I started in medical lasers in 1986! I have been involved in clinical research, medical laser and IPL development, sales and marketing across Europe and South East Asia, business start-ups, theoretical research into laser-tissue interactions, training course development, writing articles for peer-reviewed journals and industry magazines. I am currently the Chairman of the Association of Laser Safety Professionals.
The Fitzpatrick Skin Scale – What is wrong with this idea???
First things first – the melanin concentration (skin colour) is not related to the Fitzpatrick Scale… The ‘Fitzpatrick Skin Scale’ was designed by a Californian dermatologist, Dr Thomas B. Fitzpatrick in 1975. He was routinely treating patients with potential skin cancers and wanted a way of classifying their potential for developing cancer and subsequent treatments.… Continue reading The Fitzpatrick Skin Scale – What is wrong with this idea???
My concerns in today’s aesthetic industry…
I have been around since before the invention of colour…..!!! I have seen many excellent advances in the medical/aesthetic laser industry in that time. But I have also seen a few things which concern me greatly. Poor training I seem to be training more and more people who have already received ‘training’ on their lasers… Continue reading My concerns in today’s aesthetic industry…
How long does tissue take to be damaged by heat?
I often read about human tissue ‘denaturing’ or ‘coagulating’ at some temperature – usually 60 or 70°C. However, these claims are inaccurate. They rarely state the time over which the denaturation process occurs. Denaturation is when the proteins in cells or tissues ‘unravel’. For example, collagen is made up of three amino acid chains, intertwined… Continue reading How long does tissue take to be damaged by heat?
Which is better – laser or IPL hair removal?
I am asked this question all the time.. There is a lot of mis-understanding about the differences between lasers and IPLs, and how they interact with the skin. Some people think that lasers are “superior”, but this depends on what you’re targeting! I put together a wee animation (below) to try to explain some of… Continue reading Which is better – laser or IPL hair removal?
Choosing the appropriate IPL filter
How do we choose the ‘best’ filter on an IPL system? I’ve noticed that, recently, some mis-information seems to be pervading IPL-land!! For some reason, users are being advised to use the wrong filters for certain treatments. I’m not really sure why this has happened, but here is my answer to this… Hope this helps,… Continue reading Choosing the appropriate IPL filter
Masterclass – Laser Tattoo Removal & Laser/IPL Treatment of Hair/Vessels/Pigmentation/Acne
I am planning to run a ‘Masterclass’, or two, later this year, in the UK. Watch the following video for some details… Please write to me at MikeMurphyLPA@gmail.com to register your interest. Thanks, Mike.
Carbon Facial treatment with the QS Nd:YAG laser
The carbon facial treatment was originally developed in South Korea in the early 2000s. It is now becoming more popular across Europe and America, and various other countries. More recently, this process has been applied to the backs of hands, and other areas of the skin, such as the décolletage. It is claimed that this… Continue reading Carbon Facial treatment with the QS Nd:YAG laser
All our animations, videos and pdfs….
Below is a list of all of our animations, on our YouTube Channel, and the associated pdfs (for download). This list will be updated as new material is created. Click on the title to see the animation/video or on the pdf link on the right… (please note not all of these have an associated pdf… Continue reading All our animations, videos and pdfs….
The physical processes behind laser tattoo removal – what is really going on?
I presented a video to the British Medical Laser Association conference in May 2021, discussing my work on the physical processes which may be occurring during laser tattoo removal. In it, I discuss the formation of steam bubbles, how they evolve over time, the latent heat energy of vaporisation and condensation, and the cyclic bubble… Continue reading The physical processes behind laser tattoo removal – what is really going on?
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