In today's episode, Mike and Lisa dive into the fundamental concepts of laser physics through a fun "Explain Like I'm Five" format. They explore key terms such as fluence, pulse width, and wavelength, breaking down complex ideas into simple analogies. Mike explains how fluence, measured in joules per square centimeter, is crucial for achieving effective results in laser treatments, while pulse width is likened to the duration of a bus journey delivering energy to the skin.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Fluence refers to the concentration of energy delivered to the skin during laser treatments, measured in joules per square centimeter. It is crucial for achieving effective results in procedures targeting hair follicles, blood vessels, and pigmentation.

• There is a minimum threshold fluence that must be exceeded for a treatment to be effective, as well as a maximum threshold to avoid causing damage to surrounding skin tissues. Finding the right range of fluence is essential for successful outcomes.

• Pulse width (or pulse duration) is the length of time that energy is delivered to the skin. It can vary significantly depending on the type of laser used, and it does not directly correlate with the reaction time of the tissues being treated.

• Wavelength determines the color of the light used in treatments and is measured in nanometers. Different wavelengths penetrate the skin to varying depths, which affects their effectiveness in targeting specific structures like hair follicles or blood vessels.

• The concept of useful penetration depth combines both wavelength and fluence. It is important for ensuring that the energy delivered can effectively reach and treat the intended target within the skin, especially for deeper structures.

BEST MOMENTS

"Fluence is basically how concentrated the energy is on the skin surface, in a spot."

"To me, fluence is king. That's the main driver of pretty much all these reactions."

"So fluence is basically your make or break for any of these treatments that we are doing?"

"Pulse width is just a technical thing designed into the laser, but it doesn't actually translate into the cooking or the denaturation process within the tissues."

"There's no point the bus of photons reaching the target if they're all tired and they can't do anything."

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Mike began his career in medical lasers in 1986 with a physics degree and a post-grad in bioengineering. He helped develop the scar-free removal of tattoos using a Q-Switched Ruby Laser in Glasgow, and the world's first IPL system. Known well in the industry for his hard truths, no BS attitude and logical answers. As the author of three books, articles for medical journals, a well read blog, a Laser Protection Advisor and contributor to the BMLA, Mike is the Laser Guru.

Lisa's claim to laser fame is being Mike's daughter. Growing up with lasers and never avoiding a physics lesson from her Dad, it was natural to enter the industry. Leaving a corporate career with a baby to jump into self employed life came with challenges. Despite that Lisa has been well recognised for her teaching style, practical tips, bringing the compassion to the science, and laser mentoring.

Instagram: @dermalase_lasertraining

https://mikemurphyblog.com

https://www.dermalasetraining.com

In this episode, Mike and Lisa delve into the complexities of online forums related to laser treatments, including laser hair removal and tattoo removal. They express their concerns about the often toxic environment of social media, where misinformation can spread easily and new practitioners may take inaccurate advice as gospel. The duo emphasise the importance of conducting thorough research and seeking multiple perspectives before accepting any information found online.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Social media forums, especially those related to laser treatments, can provide both valuable information and misleading advice. It's important to verify information from multiple sources rather than accepting it at face value.

• When seeking information, it's advisable to consult scientific literature and various reports from different researchers to form a well-rounded understanding, rather than relying on a single source.

• Healthy debate and discussion in online forums are crucial for community learning. However, some groups may suppress differing opinions, which can hinder the sharing of accurate information.

• It's important to recognise that even experts can be wrong. Updating knowledge based on new evidence is a sign of growth and should be embraced.

• Many individuals in these forums are seeking support and guidance. It's essential to foster a respectful and helpful environment rather than engaging in ego-driven arguments.

BEST MOMENTS

"I'm just getting a bit sad about some stuff online and want to put it out there, really, see your thoughts."

"If you do see stuff on the Facebook forums or any kind of forum, do your own research to back it up or get some different opinions."

"The problem is that if people are just being deleted or blocked, then the argument is essentially being shut down."

"I'm happy to say that previously, a couple years ago, my information was incorrect. I've updated it and now the information I'm putting out there, hopefully, is correct."

"Some people are just like arguing in the comments about who's better."

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Mike began his career in medical lasers in 1986 with a physics degree and a post-grad in bioengineering. He helped develop the scar-free removal of tattoos using a Q-Switched Ruby Laser in Glasgow, and the world's first IPL system. Known well in the industry for his hard truths, no BS attitude and logical answers. As the author of three books, articles for medical journals, a well read blog, a Laser Protection Advisor and contributor to the BMLA, Mike is the Laser Guru.

Lisa's claim to laser fame is being Mike's daughter. Growing up with lasers and never avoiding a physics lesson from her Dad, it was natural to enter the industry. Leaving a corporate career with a baby to jump into self employed life came with challenges. Despite that Lisa has been well recognised for her teaching style, practical tips, bringing the compassion to the science, and laser mentoring.

Instagram: @dermalase_lasertraining

https://mikemurphyblog.com

https://www.dermalasetraining.com

In this week's episode, Mike and Lisa look into the intriguing relationship between waxing and laser hair removal treatments. They explore the traditional belief that waxing should be avoided before laser treatments due to the risk of removing the hair target, but Mike presents a compelling argument based on the biology of hair growth phases. They discuss the importance of melanin in targeting hair follicles and suggest that waxing may actually enhance the effectiveness of laser treatments by reducing pain and minimizing harmful plume exposure for operators.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Traditionally, it has been advised not to wax before laser treatments because waxing removes the hair, which is the target for laser energy. However, recent discussions suggest that waxing may not be as detrimental as previously thought, and could potentially be beneficial.

• The hair growth cycle consists of three main phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transitional), and telogen (resting). Only hairs in the anagen phase can be effectively targeted by laser treatments, as they contain melanin, which is necessary for the laser to work.

• Melanin is the target chromophore for laser hair removal. While it is typically found in the hair shaft, significant amounts of melanin are also present at the base of the hair follicle, which can be targeted even if the visible hair is not dark or fully developed.

• Waxing can reduce pain during laser treatments by removing visible hair that could generate heat and discomfort. Additionally, it minimizes the amount of plume (burnt tissue) released into the air, which can be harmful to both clients and operators.

• There is speculation that waxing may help synchronize hair growth cycles, leading to more effective laser treatments. However, more research and real-life examples are needed to confirm this theory and determine the best protocols for combining waxing and laser treatments.

BEST MOMENTS

"So the interesting thing that I realised while studying all this was that the new hair shaft is growing or starts to grow in anagen 3. It's not fully melanised until late in anagen 3."

"So, any hair we can see that's not in catagen or telogen must be in late anagen. And that's good for us."

"If you hit those with laser IPL light, it makes no difference. If it's an anagen, it means the follicle is already in the subcutis, in the fatty tissue."

"If you wax them before you do the treatment, then immediately after the treatment, there's no visible hairs at all."

"So I suspect that if you were to wax and then treat with laser IPL, you'd probably have a hair-free environment for quite some time."

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Mike began his career in medical lasers in 1986 with a physics degree and a post-grad in bioengineering. He helped develop the scar-free removal of tattoos using a Q-Switched Ruby Laser in Glasgow, and the world's first IPL system. Known well in the industry for his hard truths, no BS attitude and logical answers. As the author of three books, articles for medical journals, a well read blog, a Laser Protection Advisor and contributor to the BMLA, Mike is the Laser Guru.

Lisa's claim to laser fame is being Mike's daughter. Growing up with lasers and never avoiding a physics lesson from her Dad, it was natural to enter the industry. Leaving a corporate career with a baby to jump into self employed life came with challenges. Despite that Lisa has been well recognised for her teaching style, practical tips, bringing the compassion to the science, and laser mentoring.

Instagram: @dermalase_lasertraining

https://mikemurphyblog.com

https://www.dermalasetraining.com