Laser Level 1

What is Fluence and what is it Measured in

Fluence measures the amount of light energy delivered to a specific area. It is measured in joules (J)

The more joules, the stronger,hotter it will be ex: 10j vs 20j = 20j stronger

What is Wavelength and what is it measure in

The distance between waves of light. it is measured in Nanometers ( Nm)

HIGHER WAVELENGTH = DEEPER

What is pulse duration

How long each laser pulse is delivered, Usually measured in milliseconds (ms).

The shorter the milliseconds the stronger the treatment ex: 10ms vs 20ms = 10ms stronger

What is frequency and what is it measured in

the number of laser pulses the machine fires per second and measured in Hertz ( Hz)

What is spot size

Laser spot size is the diameter/area covered of a laser beam

Smaller = more superficial energy will travel ( Small: Capillaries) vs Larger = less energy will travel due to scatter ( Large: Hair )

What is spot size

Laser spot size is the diameter/area covered of a laser beam

Smaller spot size = less penetration, less coverage, more time vs Larger spot size = deeper penetration, more coverage, less time

Name the 4 types of laser and their purposes

Ruby Laser - 694 nm effective for dark hair and Fitz 1-3 (first laser generated by Theodore H Maiman in 1960)

Alexandrite - 755 nm effective for dark hair and Fitz 1-3

Pulsed Diode 800/810 nm - effective for dark hair, can treat Fitz 1-6 but not recommended to treat 6, 1-5 is safe

ND YAG 1064nm - effective for dark hair but can temporarily remove some light hairs, safe for all Fitz 1-6. This is attracted to blood in the follicle not melanin which is why it’s safe for darker Fitz

What is the definition of LASER

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emissions of Radiation

Laser vs Light

Laser - One specific wavelength = focused and targets one specific thing.

Light - Many wavelengths = spreads out to target different things.

Laser vs Light

Laser - One specific wavelength = focused and targets one specific thing.

Light - Many wavelengths = spreads out to target different things.

What are chromophores

melanin, blood, water

What is RATS

Reflection - laser can reflect

Absorption - target chromophore needs to absorb energy to work

Transmission - laser light passes through targets and reaches underlying structures

Scatter - causes a decrease in amount of energy at target

Rule of thumb for laser

Fitz 4-6 low and long

Fitz 1-3 high and long

Pinch = long duration (gentle) thick, dense, corse hair vs Punch = short duration (harder) fine,thin hair

Abnormal side effects

• Blisters

• Burns

• Scaring

• Hypopigmentation

• Hyperpigmentation

Normal side effects

• Discomfort at a level 3 on a scale 1-10

• Peri follicular erythema ( swelling at follicle )

• Dryness

• Itchiness

• Bruising

  
  

Types of hair

Lanugo - fine,soft hair,unmedulated ( usually what babies are born with )

Vellus - fine,soft, unmedulated, in younger people also known as peach fuzz

Terminal - long course hair, medulla red and pigmented ( this is what you laser, think pubic hair )

Hair growth cycle

Anagen- baby phase or growing stage which is the ONLY stage that we can laser the hair this stage lasts weeks to years and is only about 15-20% in this stage

Catagen - teen phase or transitioning stage and gets as long as it can, stage is anywhere from a few days to a week

Telogen - adult phase or resting stage, the hair is not growing or shedding. Fully detached from root and no set duration week to a year or more

Hair colours unable to be treated by laser

Light blonde, red, white or grey due to lack of pigmentation or melanin these are the colours the laser can not detect

Abnormalities of hair growth

Hirsutism - excessive growth of corse terminal hair in women in androgen dependant Sites, male pattern distribution ex: upper lip,chin,chest, legs ) it is idiopathic, PCOS, medications, hormones, tumors are all things that can cause this. Think of a bearded lady

Hypertrichosis - increased hair growth at any site on the body of non androgen hair with normal androgen metabolism

This is genetic, hormones, hypothyroidism ( low thyroid gland activity ), medications like minoxidil or psoriasis medications, acquired long applications of steroids and malnutrition ( anorexia etc )

Pre treatment

• avoid sun exposure for 4-6 weeks minimum

• Hair should be shaven

• Avoid caffeine,alcohol,spicy food for less pain for at least 24-28 hours prior

• No actives in skincare on treatment area

Post treatment

• No shaving 1-3 days after

• No excessive heat for 24-28 hours (hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, chlorinated pools)

• Pat dry after shower

• No friction or tight clothes

• No sun exposure

Contraindications for Laser treatment

• recent sun exposure

• Blonde,red, grey or white hair

• Photosensitizing medications

• Seizure disorders

• Pregnancy

• Eyebrows,nasal passages, inside ears

• Keloid scarring ( NEVER treat a client who has ever had a keloid scar on their body or a family history of 2 or more family members with keloid scarring history )

Major photosensitizing medications

Chemo consult a doctor, accutane needs to off for 6-9 months, gold therapy - never treat, high doses of vitamin A ( 10,000 units a day ) consult a doctor

To determine if laser glasses are protecting you, check their

Optical density

Thermal relaxation time is the time it takes the target to cool by what percentage of?

50%

laser is

Monochromatic, collimated, and coherent

what is the epidermis mainly composed of

Keratinocytes

Light is

Polychromatic, non coherent, non collimated

Urticaria ( hives ) is normal following Laser Hair removal

Yes, urticaria is a normal symptom and they can take anti histamines to help

What are the 4 basic laser parameters

Wavelength, pulse duration, fluence, spot size

When our body heals a wound, it goes through a process called

Epithelialization

14 parts of a hair follicle

1. Hair shaft

2. Epidermis

3. Dermis

4. Subcutaneous layer

5. Hair root

6. Arrector pili muscle

7. Sebaceous gland

8. Hair bulb

9. Dermal blood vessel

10. Fat

11. Vein

12. Artery

13. Papilla

14. Hair follicle wall

ABC’s of skin cancer

• Asymmetry

• Border

• Colour

• Diameter

• Evolution or elevation

What’s the purpose of gel

Cooling and a conduit for the laser