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?
Do your eyes hurt after ‘lasering’?
Three times in three weeks I’ve heard the same comment – “my eyes hurt for a few hours after I’ve finished lasering”….. All three times that has raised alarm bells in my head. As a Laser Protection Adviser I knew right away what this meant. It means that their eyes were not being properly… Continue reading Do your eyes hurt after ‘lasering’?
Time Travel – is it possible?
We are ALL time-travellers. According to Einstein we move thru spacetime, not time. One day at a time…. Personally, I cannot see how time travel is possible. Nor is it sensible. Being able to go back in time and change something is just a fantastically stupid concept as to be non-sensical. Why would… Continue reading Time Travel – is it possible?
New publication in LSM
I’ve just received acknowledgement that my paper – High speed ink aggregates are ejected from tattoos during Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser treatments has been accepted for publication in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. It should be available for public consumption next month, but if you want a wee preview just let me know. Mike.
Refresher Courses
I can now offer the following ‘refresher courses’: Laser tattoo removal: Choosing the correct settings Which laser is best? How does it actually work? Ink colours Pain management Managing patient expectations Minimising risk Laser/IPL removal of hair, vessel, pigmentation + skin rejuvenation Choosing the correct settings… Understanding the light-tissue interactions The critical importance of… Continue reading Refresher Courses
Are you getting the best out of your IPL system? Most people don’t….
IPL systems can generate excellent results in many conditions, if used correctly. However, I constantly hear people telling me that they “can’t get good results” with theirs! Why is this? Well, basically it comes down to two main factors: either their equipment is not very good or cannot output a sufficient energy or… Continue reading Are you getting the best out of your IPL system? Most people don’t….
Q-switches: Passive vs Active?
Here is a description of ‘active’ vs ‘passive’ Q-switches in lasers….. Mike,
How long is a beam of laser light?
Well, this is a very interesting question…. From a ‘classical’ viewpoint (i.e. the world in which we live) this is easily calculated by multiplying the speed of light, c, with the laser pulse duration. So, for a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser of, say, 5 nanosecond duration, the laser pulse is approx. 1.49 metres long, while a… Continue reading How long is a beam of laser light?
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
Don’t stare at the sun – ever!!!
We all know its a bad idea to stare at the sun. But this lady decided to do so during the recent eclipse in America, without the correct protective safety glasses. As a result her retinas were burnt with an image of the eclipsed sun! Many lasers output a much higher power than can… Continue reading Don’t stare at the sun – ever!!!
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