Most laser systems have a lens to focus the laser energy down to a sale spot diameter (see figure 1 below). However, in many systems, the focal point (where the spot diameter is the smallest) is outside the handpiece assembly. This has a potentially hazardous effect if not properly understood! The problem with this design… Continue reading Laser spot size – how it changes with distance from the target…
IPL filters
IPL systems typically use a Xenon flash lamp to generate light across a wide range of wavelengths, usually 400 to 1200 nm. To select a ‘useful’ range a filter is applied. These are generally ‘cut off’ filters which stop all wavelengths below a given value, from transmitting through. Hence, a 650 nm will stop all… Continue reading IPL filters
Carbon Facial treatment with a QS Nd:YAG laser
Recently I tried the new ‘carbon facial’ treatment using the 1064nm wavelength of the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. My wife was keen to try it! I painted a little black carbon ink solution (which I made myself) onto my wife’s face. After about 20 minutes, or so, to allow it to dry, I applied the laser… Continue reading Carbon Facial treatment with a QS Nd:YAG laser
What is ‘energy density’ or ‘fluence’?
Many laser operators are not sure what is meant by energy density or fluence. They should know this as it is fundamental to generating good clinical outcomes. Here’s a video I made explaining how to calculate ED/fluence… You can download a pdf copy of the above here. Hope this clears this topic… Continue reading What is ‘energy density’ or ‘fluence’?
Experiments with India ink and a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser
What happens when India ink absorbs laser energy? I irradiated some dry India ink trapped between two glass slides here (the ink was allowed to dry overnight). I used 5 J/cm^2 with a 1064 nm wavelength. As you can see, the laser energy ‘vapourises’ the ink and leaves voids behind. But, very little ink leaves… Continue reading Experiments with India ink and a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser
Spreading the coronavirus through simple speech…
We spit when we speak! Gross!!!! But we do. We can’t help it. It’s perfectly natural but we cannot see those tiny droplets of saliva in the air – usually. But, if you have a nice, big, powerful, visible laser, then you can see the spit, in flight! Some scientists did exactly this. The video… Continue reading Spreading the coronavirus through simple speech…
UK Gov’t advice on re-opening your clinic – “Keeping workers and clients safe during COVID-10 in ‘close contact’ services.”
The UK Government has released a document which should help those of you planning to re-open your clinic soon. It is aimed specifically at hairdressers, beauty centres, tattoo shops etc, and all those places where ‘close contact’ with clients is necessary. Personally, I think it’s a bit ‘lightweight’ on the issue of clean air –… Continue reading UK Gov’t advice on re-opening your clinic – “Keeping workers and clients safe during COVID-10 in ‘close contact’ services.”
COVID-19 Risk Analysis for Aesthetic Centres
Lynton Lasers (UK) have produced a very useful Covid-19 Risk Analysis document for laser/IPL clinics and centres. You can download a copy above. Mike.
The virus is in the air…
Research from around the world clearly shows that the coronavirus sits on saliva droplets in the air for hours. This is not widely understood. Even The WHO have only recently begun to ‘get’ this!! I put together a video to explain the physics behind this – its not rocket science!!! Watch here – You can… Continue reading The virus is in the air…
From the very, very small to the very, very big….
I found a great video showing ‘The Scale of the Universe’… Ciao, Mike.
