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Epilaser Long Pulsed Ruby Laser - Manufacturer - Palomar Medical Technologies, Boston USA.
This laser again uses a light wavelength of 694 nm but has a longer pulse duration, 3 ms. A pulse duration of this length would generally cause damage to surrounding skin tissue. This is overcome by using a patented actively cooled sapphire hand piece which conducts heat away from the skin before, during and after each laser pulse. .As a result of the extra cooling a higher energy density is required, 0 - 40 J / cm2.
Clinical data for the Epilaser is currently limited but appears to be highly dependent on the skill of the operator.
Long Pulse Alexandrite - Manufacturer - ESC Medical, Halfa, Israel.
This laser uses a longer wavelength, 755 nm. It is unclear as to why the manufacturer has chosen this wavelength as it absorbs less in melanin and has greater absorbtion in blood. Consequently the laser requires a high energy density 0 - 40 J / cm2 along with a pulse duration of 3ms. Such a high energy density, pulse duration and absorbtion in blood means that there is a high risk of burning the skin.
Clinical data shows a 40 % reduction in hair density after 4-6 months and 1 treatment. As a result of its long wavelength and pulse duration there is a very high risk of burning and requires significant operators skill to achieve the correct clinical outcome without any side effects.
Epilight White Light System - Manufacturer - ESC Medical, Halfa, Israel.
This system is referred to as white light as it uses a wavelength range between 590- 1100 nm and can therefore not be termed a laser as such. As the system is not specifically targeting the hair but heating the entire area there is a substantial risk of skin damage. There is also an added risk of burning as wavelengths above 900 nm are absorbed in water of which tissue is composed.
The epilight system uses a pulse duration of 3 ms and an energy density of 0 - 65 J / cm2
There is little published data on it's effectiveness.
Softlight System - Licensed by - Thermolase Dallas USA
This system uses a Nd:YAG Laser of wavelength 1064 nm. The laser does not damage the hair follicle directly at this wavelength but a carbon paste is applied to the skin that absorbs the laser light. This system was developed for all skin types. A short pulse duration is used 40 ns and a low energy density is used 0 - 10 J / cm2
There is concern about hair follicles becoming infected following carbon assisted laser treatment and the possibility that the carbon particles could have been entered the lymphatic system. Also it is difficult to get the carbon to penetrate sufficiently deep enough into the hair follicle to damage the generative cells. There is significant potential for epidermal injury and there is also a risk that the carbon particles used in the lotion could explode leaving a tattooing effect.
In 1998 a class action suit was brought against ThermoLase by a consumer who alleged the company "advertised SoftLight laser hair removal as long lasting with the knowledge that such treatments did not achieve that result." ThermoLase settled out of court but in 2000 folded back into its parent company which then stopped manufacturing or marketing the SoftLight system in the U.S.
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