Lasers
emit an intense beam of light or energy (visible or invisible) with a
specific wavelength, which is targeted at a type of tissue in the part
of the body being treated. When the beam of energy reaches its target,
it is absorbed and converted into heat. The heat then inactivates or destroys
cells in the target area without having a significant effect on the other
cells that surround it.
For hair reduction, the laser system targets the melanin (or dark colouring) in the hair follicle (or root).
- High energy beam penetrates through the skin and gets absorbed in hair follicles
- Once absorbed, the energy turns into heat, which destroys the follicles
- Because the beam diameter is large, it covers several hairs at one time, which reduces the procedure time
- Because hair growth occurs in several cycles, only mature hairs are affected during each treatment
To treat vascular lesions, including spider veins, the light from the laser is directed at the blood vessels. When the appropriate wavelength is used, the vessel wall is injured and is subsequently absorbed by the body.
- High energy beam penetrates through the skin and gets absorbed in blood cells inside the leg vein
- Once absorbed, the energy turns into heat, which evaporates blood and heats up the vessel walls
- Heat vessel walls collapse and glue together
- Destroyed bloodless vessels dissipate in the body within a few weeks
The
effectiveness of cosmetic laser procedures depends on many factors, including:
- Choice of the correct device for a given treatment
- The training and skill of the person operating the device
- The wavelength of the beam of energy that targets the tissue
- The power settings used, the duration of each energy pulse, the amount of time between pulses, the number of pulses per treatment, and the number of treatments administered
- The colour of the skin and/or hair of the person being treated