Laser Hair Removal: The Lasers

Apart from finding a skilled laser provider, the factor that is most likely to determine the success of your hair removal experience is the choice of the proper laser for your skin type and the type of hair to be removed..

We will concentrate here on the four most popular lasers currently in use for hair removal: the Ruby laser, the Alexandrite laser, the Diode laser, and the Nd:YAG laser.

Another device still in wide use is the IPL flashlamp or the Intense Pulsed Light machine. Some claim that these devices have shown similar effectiveness to lasers, however since they are not true lasers (IPL flashlamps emit broad-spectrum light rather than the monochromatic or single frequency light emitted by laser devices) we will omit them from our current discussion.

Choosing the right laser for your hair removal

In order to determine what specific laser device or devices might be best suited for your hair removal needs, it is important to first determine your skin type. There are six major skin types, and each is outlined in the chart below:

Skin Type	Skin Tone	Characteristics
I	very fair	Always burns, never tans
II	fair	Always burns, tans with difficulty
III	fair to light olive	Burns mildly, tans slowly
IV	olive to brown	Rarely burns, tans easily
V	dark brown	Very rarely burns, tans very easily
VI	black	Never burns, tans very easily

After you have determined your skin type, the next step in selecting the most appropriate laser for you is to locate your specific skin type and the type of hair to be removed on the chart below.

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LASER SELECTION CHART:

For skin types I and II, the best device for small areas or fine hair is often the Alexandrite laser or the Ruby laser.

For skin types I and II, the best laser for treating large areas is often either the Alexandrite laser or the Diode laser.

For skin types III and IV, the best laser for small areas or fine hair is often the Diode laser or the Alexandrite laser.

For skin types III and IV, the best laser for large areas is often either the Alexandrite laser or the Diode laser.

For skin types V and VI, the best laser device for treatment of small areas or fine hair is often the Nd:YAG laser.

For skin types V and VI the best laser device for large areas is often either the Nd:YAG laser or the Diode laser.

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Of course, this chart is meant simply as an educational too. You would be wise to consult with several doctors before you commit to a treatment plan. Doctors and laser technicians can offer advice on your specific situation, and many also offer free spot checks. These tests check the effect of a specific laser on a small patch of your skin. The test allows the doctor or technician to determine how well their specific laser might work for you. The spot test also allows the laser practitioner to help determine what settings might work best for your treatment.

Choosing an experienced, skilled practitioner and the right laser machine for your situation and skin type are both very important factors in determining whether your hair removal experience will be a pleasant and successful one. Remember, always consult with more than one doctor or clinic before signing on to a long term laser treatment plan.