My Letter describing back-scattered laser radiation from the skin has been published in the ‘open market’ by Springer! I’m very pleased that they have done this. However, I am now thinking that the levels of back-scattered light are higher than I first thought. The is coming from new work I have been doing looking at… Continue reading Back-scattered light from the skin is much more than we think…
Category: Theoretical stuff – tissue denaturation / selective photothermolysis….
How long should you leave between laser tattoo removal treatments?
This is an important question but has not been properly studied clinically (to my knowledge). When my research group first developed the Q-switched ruby laser treatment of tattoos in Canniesburn Hospital, Glasgow, in the early 1980s they established that a minimum four-week period was the optimum time between repeat laser sessions. This became the standard… Continue reading How long should you leave between laser tattoo removal treatments?
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
One-to-one online training now available
Finally, I’ve caught up with Zoom! I can now offer my training courses online in a one-to-one situation. You can ask me questions during the course whenever you like. Plus, you don’t need to have Zoom on your computer!! I prefer to do these courses with a small group of people – no more… Continue reading One-to-one online training now available
My ‘Hole in a Stick’ technique…
Using IPLs on vascular and pigmented lesions can be very successful when the correct parameters are used. My theoretical research clearly shows that longer pulses are ‘better’ than shorter ones, when dealing with small and large targets. In order to test this I submitted my lovely wife to a series of treatments on her angiomas… Continue reading My ‘Hole in a Stick’ technique…
British Medical Laser Association annual meeting 2019 – My talks
I’ve just been confirmed for two talks at this year’s British Medical Laser Association meeting in London in May. I’ll be presenting OP18 and OP20 on Friday May 10th, 2019 at 8.15am and 8.45am respectively, in the Endeavour Room. 1st Presentation – OP18 The first presentation is entitled “Laser Tattoo Removal – a deeper analysis… Continue reading British Medical Laser Association annual meeting 2019 – My talks
Single or Double Rod Nd:YAG Lasers?
Nowadays, it is possible to purchase Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers with a single YAG rod, or with two rods. So, what is the difference and is it important? To understand why a laser might have two rods instead of one we should look at the basic design of a laser first. Basic laser cavity A… Continue reading Single or Double Rod Nd:YAG Lasers?
More on Thermal Relaxation Times
TRTs I’ve had a number of enquiries about my article on the relevance of thermal relaxation times in photothermal treatments. They were asking for clarification. So here goes…. Thermal relaxation time (TRT) describes how quickly an object loses heat energy. Typically, it is the time taken for the temperature of an object to drop… Continue reading More on Thermal Relaxation Times
Thermal Relaxation Time – what is wrong with it?
The theory which has underpinned many skin-laser treatments since 1981 is called ‘Selective Photothermolysis’. It is based on matching the laser wavelength to the absorbing chromophore. It also matches the pulse duration of the laser to the thermal relaxation times of those targets. However, there is a problem with this approach. The thermal relaxation time… Continue reading Thermal Relaxation Time – what is wrong with it?
Tissue denaturation – the process
And here it is, in black and white…. This wonderful little equation describes how hair, blood, collagen or any other protein denatures as a function of time and temperature. It is important to understand how this works if you want to treat these proteins properly. Most people have never even heard of it, yet… Continue reading Tissue denaturation – the process