I started this blog on May 1st, 2015 – it is 10 years old now! When I started I had no idea what I was doing. Today, I have a bit of an idea, but I’m still ‘finding my way’. To date, I have had more than 200,000 views of my scribblings and lots of… Continue reading My blog is 10 years old today!!
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.
What is the difference between fluence and power density? Plus, how many photons are in each pulse of energy???
We all know (I hope!!) about fluence, or energy density. This is the stuff which heats up tissues. But what is ‘power desnity’ and why is it important? Well, power density (or ‘irradiance’ to give it its proper name) is the concentration of power in a spot size area. This is very important in all… Continue reading What is the difference between fluence and power density? Plus, how many photons are in each pulse of energy???
Are laser suppliers ‘capping’ the output of their lasers/IPLs? Our next podcast episode…
Launched today – our latest podcast episode and we are discussing why some laser manufacturers/suppliers are capping the outputs of their devices. This is clearly not good! It limits the ability of the laser operators to achieve good clinical results. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/are-laser-suppliers-putting-limits-on-machines/id1790635555?i=1000703798480 What this shows is that some suppliers are not training their customers properly. They… Continue reading Are laser suppliers ‘capping’ the output of their lasers/IPLs? Our next podcast episode…
Laser safety glasses – what does ‘DIRM’ mean?
You know I keep banging on and on about safety glasses and how important they are (you only have one pair of eyes!!). I have written a number of times about this topic and how to understand the text on your safety glasses (https://mikemurphyblog.com/2024/02/29/laser-safety-glasses-and-how-to-read-them/). Yet, I find that people still don’t know much about this… Continue reading Laser safety glasses – what does ‘DIRM’ mean?
Our training is “wrong” according to a laser supplier! Here’s our reply…
Recently, one of our clients was told, by her laser supplier, that our training is “wrong”. I am happy to receive criticism, as long as it is justified. However, this particular criticism was just nonsense! So Lisa and I decided to discuss it in one of our podcast episodes… Unfortunately, there are some laser suppliers… Continue reading Our training is “wrong” according to a laser supplier! Here’s our reply…
PMU inks – what is in them?
I recently came across an excellent book called “PMUni Colourant Manual” by Jasmine Diebelius which delves into the world of PMU inks and their constituents. In it, she indicates the pigments used to formulate many commonly-used PMU inks. This has proved very interesting to me, because of the ramifications for laser removal. In one section,… Continue reading PMU inks – what is in them?
How many treatment sessions does hair removal need?
This is a simple post. The number of laser/IPL sessions needed to remove hair follicles permanently depends entirely on the fluence you apply. That’s it – in a nutshell! As I’ve said before, a ‘low’ fluence can only affect follicles down to a certain depth. So this fluence can only kill a relatively small number… Continue reading How many treatment sessions does hair removal need?
Should we wax or pluck before laser/IPL hair removal? The science…
This is an interesting question. Virtually everyone’s initial response would be a resounding “NO”. “Why should we? We would be removing the target we are trying to destroy!!” Well, yes, of course. That’s obvious. Except, it isn’t… A telogen hair, about to transition into anagen 1. To answer this question properly, we need to look… Continue reading Should we wax or pluck before laser/IPL hair removal? The science…
Should we wax or pluck before zapping hairs with laser or IPLs?
Hmmm… Here’s our podcast on this topic. We look forward to your comments and experiences. Mike.
Professor Bill Reid – The “Father” of Laser Tattoo Removal.
Prof. William H. Reid, FRCS. It is with some considerable sadness that I announce the death of Prof William (Bill) Reid, Plastic Surgeon. Bill Reid was a plastics and burns surgeon who worked in the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit, Glasgow up until his retirement in 1996. He was a well-respected surgeon for his… Continue reading Professor Bill Reid – The “Father” of Laser Tattoo Removal.
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