Electrolysis was the only form of long-term hair removal available before Intense Pulse Light (IPL) and laser devices entered the market. Electrolysis is still used today even though it is painful to the patient. It can also be invasive to the skin which allows for risk of infection. During the electrolysis procedure, a fine needle is inserted into the hair follicle, delivering a galvanic current to destruct the stem cells in the follicle. Unfortunately, this painstaking process is performed one hair follicle at a time. Maintenance procedures are often needed for years after the first treatment.

With laser and pulsed light technology, hundreds of hair follicles are treated at a time and vary upon the spot size (the size of the tip of the device delivering energy). These non-invasive laser hair removal procedures only take minutes to perform instead of the hours required with electrolysis.

What is Melanin?

A patient’s skin type and hair color can be the most important consideration prior to laser hair removal treatment. Laser hair removal is based on selective photothermolysis (using light and heat for destruction of a hair follicle) with melanin being the target chromophore (chemical grouping that produces color). The difference between the absorption of laser or light energy by melanin in the hair follicle and melanin in the epidermis determines the amount of energy that can be safely used without harming the skin.

A patient with very dark skin and gray or white hair, would have little if any response, while light-skinned patients with dark hair are considered to be the ideal patients for hair removal Since melanin in the hair shaft and follicle are the target source for laser and IPL hair removal procedures, patients should be advised during their initial consultation not to tweeze, wax or use any depilatory device prior to hair removal. Hair which is protruding from the skin can singe during a laser or light treatment which causes an unpleasant smell and possible flares. The patient can shave the area to be treated or can use hair removal creams, which preserves the chromophore in the follicle

Treatment Day

Most devices technically operate the same way when performing a laser hair removal procedure. The parameters on the device (joules, milliseconds, pulse, etc.) should be set according to the skin analysis and history performed on the patient. It is important to for patients not to wear dark clothing near the area to be treated as the pigment in the clothing could potentially be absorbed by the laser or light and can result in a burn. The patient should be instructed to refrain from using any body washes, lotions, cosmetics, or any skin medications the day of treatment. Some patients may prefer to have a topical anesthetic applied prior to the procedure. If any residue of the anesthetic remains, it should be wiped clean from the skin. A spot test, or patch test, should be performed on the intended treatment area. Several treatments are required at monthly intervals for an optimal outcome and a yearly maintenance procedure is recommended.

Medical Spa MD is a medspa community of Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Dermatologists, and Aesthetic Physicians with more than 3,500 medical spa members world-wide. Medical Spa MD offers medical esthetician training manuals and provides information on nonsurgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments.

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The advent of aesthetic laser treatments in cosmetic medicine has led to many advancements in cosmetic medical device industries. In the cosmetic laser arena, new and improved cosmetic lasers are entering the cosmetic medical market every few months. This development curve is leaving the classification criterion of aesthetic lasers to continually be redefined. Therefore, the following information is to be used as a guideline and is not considered to be a current and thorough description.

Lasers in use by medical practitioners typically have low outputs of energy and power, and are thus placed in ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Class 2 category. Another important organization is the LIA (Laser Institute of America). The majority of medical lasers fall into the ANSI Class 3 or 4 categories with most surgical lasers being in ANSI Class 4. Most medical and/or surgical lasers are classified by the FDA (Food and Drug administration) as Class II or Class III medical devices.

Class 1 Lasers

Class 1 lasers are not considered to pose any hazards when operated according to normal conditions and includes lasers which are completely enclosed such as CD players, fiber-optics devices, and printers. These devices cannot have emissions exceeding the maximum permitted exposure (MPE) under any conditions are considered to be class 1 systems.

Still, problems can occur if the laser is outside of the enclosure.

Warning labels are required for this class inside the unit or underneath the cover.

Class 2a

Lasers in this class do not pose a threat unless the laser is directly viewed for more than 16 minutes or so and encompasses visible light lasers with a total output power less than 1 milliwatt, but greater than a few microwatts.

Class 2

This class of lasers includes visible light lasers that are intense enough that viewing the beam into a human eye can cause the normal “aversion response”. An aversion response is when the eyelids close, or the head moves in order to avoid the light. It can occur within 0.25 seconds and includes the blink reflex time.

Class 3a

Class of lasers that includes those emitting ultraviolet or infrared light as well as visible light. All devices within the Class 1 AEL (Allowed Exposure Level) with laser output between .18μm and 1mm fall in this class. Common Laser pointers that are readily available are class 3a laser devices.

Class 3b

This class of lasers includes the same laser output spectrum as class 3a, but increases the output level to that of Class 2 AEL.

Class 4

This class of lasers includes any that exceeds the Class 2 AEL. Most every laser that produces an excess of 0.5 watts is in this class.

As an aesthetician, you are now crossing the line from treating clients to treating patients. All the components of aesthetic care play an even more important role when designing a post-procedure treatment plan for the patient who just underwent a deep chemical peel for acne scarring. Or, the Rosacea patient who just completed her first intense pulse light treatment. It’s important to remember that you are the skin care expert in your recommendations of skin care products and regimens to your clients. However, you are also a critical adjunct to the physician who has planned an aggressive therapy treatment for his patient.

Medical Spa MD is a cosmetic medical community of Plastic Surgeons & Cosmetic Dermatologists with more than 3,500 medical spa members world wide. Medical Spa MD offers medical esthetician training manuals and provides information on nonsurgical cosmetic medical technologies and treatments.

Technorati Tags: Cosmetic Dermatology, cosmetic surgery, health, laser clinics, laser hair removal, Laser Medicine, Laser Treatments, Med Spas, Medical Spas, medicine, plastic surgery, technology, womens issues