I asked an AI for a summary of each of my three books.In particular, I asked for the salient points: Three Key Points: Based on the detailed content provided from “An Introduction to Medical/Aesthetic Lasers and IPL Systems” by Michael J. Murphy and Per-Arne Torstensson, here are three core points with their supporting arguments: —… Continue reading I asked an AI to summarise my books. Here’s what it said…
Tag: Laser Hair Removal
Why we must use HIGHER fluences on darker skins…
When treating skin with lasers/IPLs we are often told that darker skin tones must be treated with lower fluences. This is wrong! Our skin tones come from the concentration of melanin in the epidermis – mostly in the basal layer in lighter tones. In darker skins, the melanosomes may be found throughout the epidermis, not… Continue reading Why we must use HIGHER fluences on darker skins…
How far does light scatter in the skin?
When light enters the skin, it immediatley begins to scatter. This is the process where photons are absorbed by atoms (making electrons ‘excited’), and new photons are emitted shortly after (when those electrons ‘de-excite’). Inevitably, they leave the atom in a different direction to their original direction. This is called ‘scattering’. Consequently, the light spreads… Continue reading How far does light scatter in the skin?
Which are the most ‘aggressive’ wavelengths?
Someone recently asked me ‘which is the most aggressive wavelength for the skin?’ That’s interesting question… We should first start by identifying which wavelengths we need to consider. In many skin treatments we use visible and near-infrared light – from around 400 nm up to 1064 nm (Nd:YAG) or even 2940 nm (erbium:YAG). CO2 lasers… Continue reading Which are the most ‘aggressive’ wavelengths?
Synchronised hair growth vs paradoxical hypertrichosis
These days, we see many claims of ‘paradoxical hypertrichosis’. Most of the time, these claims are inaccurate – they are not seeing this at all. So, what do these terms actually mean? Let’s define these two terms… Paradoxical hypertrichosis PH (I can’t be bothered writing this out all the time!) occurs when hairs are observed… Continue reading Synchronised hair growth vs paradoxical hypertrichosis
New edition of my book chapter on laser/IPL hair removal – available now!
I finally received the printed copies of my new edition of the “hairy” chapter. This edition has nearly 100 more pages than the 1st edition. (305 pages in this edition compared with ‘only’ 219 in the first!!) More info on… the timings between treatment sessions; the details on the various stages of the anagen growth… Continue reading New edition of my book chapter on laser/IPL hair removal – available now!
Fitzpatrick Type – what does this really mean and how does it affect our laser/IPL skin treatments?
Here we go again! Fitzpatrick – the most mis-understood concept in laser/IPL therapies. Everyone who does laser/IPL treatments on the skin talks about the “Fitzpatrick”. Yet most people don’t really know what it means! Here is my take: There are two things you MUST understand: Dr Fitzpatrick was an American dermatologist who devised a scale… Continue reading Fitzpatrick Type – what does this really mean and how does it affect our laser/IPL skin treatments?
Comparing laser light with IPL light energy in the skin
I often see comments online claiming things like ‘IPL doesn’t penetrate as deeply as laser’ or ‘IPL is ineffective in treating hair/blood/potatoes/whatever…’ These comments are usually never based on the science. So, here’s the science… Light is light! Hope this helps, Mike. Our next MasterClass will be held in Liverpool in June of this year.… Continue reading Comparing laser light with IPL light energy in the skin
Why does spot size affect penetration depth?
This is a little tricky because it’s not intuitive. We know, from both clinical tests and computer modelling, that larger spot sizes result in more energy/fluence reaching deeper into the dermis. But how does that happen? Well, it all comes down to scattering. The dermis is mostly composed of collagen fibres. These fibres are all… Continue reading Why does spot size affect penetration depth?
New, downloadable booklets
I am currently writing a series of ‘bite-sized’ booklets on various topics including laser/IPL treatments, laser safety, the technologies we use today and variouis other stuff. These will be uploaded to my new web site as, and when, they come along. The first two are now available: The first one is a ‘general’ introduction to… Continue reading New, downloadable booklets
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