08 Apr A Diode Laser Application in Cosmetology
A diode laser or a semiconductor (an instrument with semiconductors acting as the amplifying medium of the device) has the reputation of the most common technology in the different industries including the beauty and wellness industry.
The ‘gold standard’ is precisely this phrase that we most often as the mention of a diode laser.
And it is used not only among lasers for hair removal, as the common people thought previously, but it is also widely used in other areas of aesthetic medicine and not only in it.
Due to the 792–1030 nm wavelength range, diode lasers can be absorbed by both melanin and hemoglobin (which makes it possible to use them in the treatment of vascular pathologies successfully), they have good homeostatic, anti-inflammatory and stimulating repair effects.
Therefore, it is a success using it while hair-removing procedures, elimination of vascular lesions, even improving skin texture and rejuvenation.
A diode laser is also popular in dentistry, in terms of soft tissues, as a way to sterilize channels, close the dentinal tubules, and whiten teeth. Due to its coagulative effect, it is used in a number of surgical operations.
‘A diode laser usage specifics during surgical interventions: sterile conditions during the intervention and the absence of bleeding during surgery and after it, the predicted depth of damage, high accuracy of the incision.” – Abstract of a scientific article on medicine and health care, the author of the research – Elena Krikun Elena Valeryevna PhD in Aesthetic Medicine.
A diode laser allows proceeding a number of cosmetic procedures in a non-invasive way, the most popular of which is laser hair removal or laser depilation.
By the way, the most popular and favorable laser hair removal procedure has appeared completely accidentally in the late 1970s. A physicist for a few seconds accidentally put his hand under the light of a laser and all the hair in this area of the arm was burned. This did not harm his skin and the scientist soon forgot about the incident, but after a few months, he noticed a hairless spot on his arm. After numerous repetitions of the experiment on the method, FDA approval was obtained, and laser hair removing entered cosmetology practice. Then it was a neodymium laser (Nd: YAG).
During the laser hair removal procedure, the laser energy is absorbed by the melanin of the hair follicle, which leads to its heating and subsequent thermal destruction.
Laser hair removal with a diode laser has existed for decades, and over time, the equipment for it is gaining perfection and become modernized, making the procedure more comfortable and less time consuming – both factors are very important in our modern rhythm of life.
The second, important procedure in cosmetology carried out by a diode laser is the removal of blood vessels.
For this purpose, a diode laser with a wavelength of 980 nm is used. In the spectrum of this wavelength the greatest absorption of laser light by haemoglobin has occurred.
The laser beam penetrates into the vessel, without damaging the surrounding tissue, then the walls of the vessels are glued together with the help of heating so they become invisible.
But in any case, like every procedure, using a diode laser have a number of contraindications:
- As we discussed in our previous article, any laser procedures are not performed during pregnancy and lactation period.
- It is restricted in the presence of malignant neoplasms (not recommended for patients with a history of malignant disease).
- Diabetes in the stage of decompensation is also a reason to decline that procedure.
- Epilepsy.
- Phlebeurysm – both these diseases are in the contraindication list for laser epilation.
Also, that procedure is not performed in conditions accompanied by fever (even with a banal cold, it is worthwhile to postpone the procedure until complete recovery).
Diode laser procedures are not performed:
- On the skin areas with infectious rashes (boils, carbuncles, pustules) and any other rashes, including allergic ones.
- Frequent recurrences of herpes also require special attention, the thermal effect of the laser provokes a recurrence of herpes.
- Procedures for laser hair removal and removal of blood vessels in areas with hematomas, tattoos and keloid scars.
You need to be careful and ask patients about what medications they take because taking antibiotics increases the photosensitivity of the skin, which increases the risk of burns. (Must go 14 days after cancellation).
And the use of certain hormonal drugs increases the risk of pigmentation after laser procedures (it is recommended to start the procedures 2 months after the end of the reception).
Also, in case of taking systemic retinoid proceed to the procedures only after six months is necessary.
It is worth remembering about a very rare, but still possible allergic reaction to laser radiation. You will not ask about this, but in the case of such a reaction, it is always necessary to have at hand emergency medical equipment.
It is very important to carry out procedures on a diode laser, given all the contraindications, and if they are not there, then a diode laser is one of the best tools for solving many cosmetic problems.