What is LASER

Laser is an acronym for:

Light Amplification by Stimulation Emission of Radiation

Lasers have 3 main characteristics:

Monochromatic: Light emitted is of a single, one colour wavelength

Coherent: Light beams are phase synchronized with each other and never cross over

Collimated: Light beams travel parallel to one another, in the same direction

Laser Light VS Ordinary Light

Collimated light is direct light, therefore it is targeted with less spreading of light. An ordinary lamp, a divergent beam is spread out and not a targeted, focussed light beam.

Mono= you can see the wavelength as it appears to have the 1 colour – therefore the wave and frequency is less so deeper penetration – like a ruby laser.

Coherent light is directed without spread and a targeted light. 

When the laser beam encounters the skin surface it may be reflected, transmitted, scattered or absorbed. For absorption to occur in the tissue, a chromophore (colour) is required.

Transmission: if there is no chromophore (a molecule responsible for the compound of a colour) the photons (particle responsible for electromagnetic phenomena) will pass through the tissue without producing any effect.

Reflection: stratum corneum (outer most layer of skin) reflects about 4% to 7% of visible light.

Scattering: Light scatter in the skin due to lack of homogeneity (a state of being or of a similar kind or a uniform structure) in the skin structures e.g. molecules, organelles, cells.

Influential Properties of Light

Wavelength: Light is measured by its wavelength in (nm) or frequency

Your device will have a Hz (HERTZ) setting, this determines the repetition rate of your light (laser)

flashes.

Fluence: The energy fluence determines the amount of laser energy delivered in a single pulse and is expressed in Joules/㎠

Fluence = How much energy is delivered

Spot size: also determines the depth of penetration

Larger areas = less intense treatment = less penetration

Smaller area = more intense treatment = deeper penetration

Pulse duration: The measured time that energy is delivered to the tissue

The speed of the wave, the energy is transported at a rate measured in Ms (milliseconds)

Pulse Duration

Pulse between two peaks