Sunday, November 3, 2013

Laser Hair Removal: Explained and Demystified

Light is not always a nemesis of skin and beauty. Like everything else on the face of the earth, light has positive and negative effects on humans and the environment. Mind you, laser was first imagined to be an adjunct for health and treatment purposes; however, it was later developed as a weapon. On the other hand, the computer was originally intended to bolster military intelligence during the war, but modern science harnessed it for medical applications. It therefore came to pass that other than an interesting contraption of sci-fi series like Star Trek, laser is now an indispensable aid in dermatology, particularly in the increasing popularity of laser hair removal Calgary clinics - move over Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock.

The technology behind the amazing procedure is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). This safe and non-invasive procedure is grounded on the principle of selective photothermolysis. Basically, the effect of light on the skin is a function of the varying extent of absorption of electromagnetic radiation on the skin. The treatment involves matching a particular wavelength and pulse duration in order to obtain optimal effect on the target tissue while ensuring minimal effect on the surrounding tissues. The interaction between the laser and the skin tissue is a result of the absorption of electromagnetic radiation (the laser beam) and the accompanying excitation of the photons.

Background Info

Fundamentally, laser used to be all in uppercase letters (LASER), which is the acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The credit for the discovery of laser was given to the American physicist Theodore Maiman. IPL is situated in the visible light of the electromagnetic spectrum. Once IPL reaches the skin, part of it is absorbed by the skin, another part is reflected and scattered, and another part is further transmitted. This is known as selective photothermolysis.

The structures on the skin tissue responsible for the absorption of the photons are called chromosphores. There are various types of chromosphores and the most commonly found on the skin are hemoglobin and its derivatives such as melanin, water, and foreign matter in the form of pigmented tattoos. The primary targets of IPL treatment are melanin and the blood vessels. The fluence or the flux of radiation delivered within a specific amount of time to the chromoshpores need to be high enough to destroy them.

Advantages of Laser Hair Removal

Aside from the inconvenience of shaving unwanted hair regularly, busy bodies can benefit from the extra time they can save from not having to shave anymore - laser hair removal is permanent. Additionally, as long as the treatment is performed by a professional authorized under applicable legislation in your locality, it is the safer alternative to shaving. Remember that majority of the areas where you prefer not to grow hair have more sensitive skin, such as the underarm and the pubic area. In other words, ridding your body of unwanted hair is safer than shaving and the procedure is fast, precise, and predictable.

As a caveat, however, never entrust the procedure to quacks. Laser hair removal Calgary experts are professionals who offer safe and sanitary treatment options for unwanted hair in different parts of your body for aesthetic purposes. The next time you see any unwanted hair on your skin, think about safety first before aiming that sharp razor - try laser hair removal.





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