| Lasers are nothing but light. Light has a spectrum, and | | | | the hair permanently. Because the skin and the other |
| within that there is a visible spectrum which we have | | | | structures like blood cells are a different colour, they |
| learnt as an acronym, VIBGYOR since our childhood | | | | do not respond at this wavelength, and a laser at this |
| days. When we filter out light into its individual colours | | | | wavelength, causes no harm to these structures, |
| ( meaning individual wavelength; because wavelength | | | | accounting for their specificity and their safety. |
| defines colour of light), we get specific lights, very | | | | Lasers have been used for a number of indications |
| simply known as LASER. Laser stands for Light | | | | like tattoo removal, correction of wrinkles, melasma |
| amplification through stimulated emission of radiation. | | | | reduction, skin rejuvenation, hair removal, photo |
| Though the word radiation is used, medical lasers do | | | | rejuvenation, correction of stretch marks, birth mark |
| not emit radiation and are completely safe. The | | | | removal and many others in the field of plastic |
| safety aspect, I will deal later. The word Laser is a | | | | surgery. |
| wrong usage, the correct being LASER, since it is an | | | | Please remember that when you choose a surgeon |
| acronym, but for simplicity, we use the former. | | | | for laser surgery, he should be a plastic surgeon, |
| Basics of Lasers | | | | please check his credentials, whether he has been |
| Lasers are simply a single colour of light (or | | | | trained in Laser science. It is very easy to perform |
| wavelength), specially selected by way of devices | | | | lasers, any child can do that, what is important is to |
| known as Laser chambers and filters. Thus we can | | | | deal with any problems that can occur after lasers. |
| wonder, why we need to select specific light. This is | | | | One needs thorough knowledge to deal with these |
| because lasers need to be specific. For example, if | | | | problems. Please do not go to a laser centre, just |
| we want to act upon hair for hair removal, we target | | | | because it is cheaper. You should find out which laser |
| a structure known as melanocyte, and more | | | | they have, whether it is a specific laser for that |
| specifically, melanin, which is the pigment in the | | | | machine. With medical science becoming increasingly |
| melanocyte. This pigment responds to light at the | | | | commercial, a lot of surgeons do what they want, |
| wavelength of around 725 nm; thus if we can get a | | | | and sweet talk unsuspecting clients into wrong |
| light at this wavelength, we would be able to | | | | practices. |
| selectively destroy melanin and the melanocyte, | | | | Mail me on for any details. |
| which is present in the hair root, and thus destroy | | | | |