If you think the effectiveness of laser treatment depends solely on the wavelength, you’re mistaken. In fact, during laser treatment, doctors need to adjust multiple parameters based on the characteristics of the patient’s skin.
These parameters include wavelength, energy, spot size, pulse duration, and frequency, with some treatments requiring additional parameters such as cooling. The different settings can drastically affect the outcome of the treatment.
For example, if a 755nm laser is used for hair removal, but the pulse duration parameter is set incorrectly, it may not produce the desired effect. Conversely, if the pulse duration is too short, it can increase the chances of skin burns.
The wavelength parameter of a laser can have multiple options, such as 1064nm/532nm, 1550nm/1927nm, and 755nm/1064nm, and the choice of which to use depends on the particular situation.
The pulse duration parameter is also important to consider. When the pulse energy remains constant, a shorter pulse duration means a higher peak power and a more intense laser effect, which can result in greater damage to the tissue. The length of the pulse duration is dependent on the thermal relaxation time of the targeted chromophore.
The energy parameter also plays a role in laser treatment. Higher energy means a more powerful laser, but if the energy is too high, it can increase the risk of skin burns. On the other hand, if the energy is too low, it may not produce the desired effect.
The spot size parameter is another factor that needs to be considered. A larger spot size provides a deeper penetration depth with less scattering, requiring less laser energy.
In addition to adjusting multiple parameters on the laser machine, auxiliary tools such as cooling devices also have parameters that need to be adjusted depending on the laser settings used.
As you can see, laser treatment can be complicated. Even registered doctors need to undergo training to properly handle laser equipment, which is why the use of laser machines should be regulated by laws and regulations.