Mar 17, 2020

Top Tips for Faster Laser Treatment Times and Optimal Cooling

Delivering results with faster treatment times and a comfortable experience is really all any patient asks for. They count on your expertise and on your clinic’s advanced equipment for a comfortable, customized treatment plan that fits their unique skin type and aesthetic goals. To achieve that, it is imperative that you and your staff understand the basic parameters of laser therapies and how each of these may be manipulated for safer, faster, and more comfortable treatment sessions with uncompromised results. 

Get started by reviewing the following four parameters for each laser treatment: wavelength, power and spot size, pulse duration, and cooling.

Features for Faster Treatment Times and Patient Comfort

Wavelength

Wavelength is linked to the target chromophore. For targeted treatments, the absorption effect is useful as less energy is required to heat the tissue and achieve optimal effects. These two factors then need to be converted into a measurement to be able to make any sort of adjustment or determination on the how the laser energy should be delivered. That measurement is called wavelength.  

Generally speaking, the shorter the wavelength (200 nm-800 nm), the shallower the effects, and the longer the wavelength (800 nm-1200 nm), the deeper the energy penetration. When it comes to treatments, a wavelength that falls on the shorter end may be adequate for laser hair removal, as the light energy does not need to penetrate so deeply into the skin. However, a longer wavelength may be ideal for dark spots or discoloration that lies deeper in the dermis.

The wavelength on Venus Concept’s diode laser devices varies to serve specific purposes. The Venus Bliss™ system is equipped with a 1064 nm laser that penetrates into the hypodermis to affect adipose tissue without harming the skin’s surface and induce lipolysis. The Venus Velocity™ system can reach an optimal wavelength of 800 nm for effective and efficient laser hair removal treatments.

Power and Spot Size

Power and spot size are two parameters that work together to determine the device’s power density. Essentially, this measurement helps us understand the amount of energy and heat delivered to the targeted area. An easy way to consider this parameter may be to think of a magnifying glass on a sunny day. Using a magnifying glass to harness the thermal energy of the sun’s UV rays can funnel this energy and create a focused heating effect, sparking a grass fire, for instance. A similar principle applies to laser aesthetic devices: power determines the amount of energy delivered through a determined spot size, where photons are funneled into a concentrated area, causing the target tissue temperature to rise and the aesthetic treatment to take effect. The amount of power a laser uses is generally measured in watts.  

Spot size may also be linked to penetration depth. A smaller spot size can lead to a greater scattering of energy, meaning less is absorbed by the target tissue. Smaller spot sizes could be best for more superficial treatments, while larger spot sizes are ideal for targeting the deeper dermis. As a general rule of thumb, note that when spot size (density) is decreased by half, the amount of energy (power) must be doubled to have the same effect at the same treatment depth and vice versa. Having said that, wavelength has more of an effect on penetration depth than power and density, so that may be your primary target. Power and density, instead, may better help to improve treatment times by increasing accuracy in energy delivery and power. The term widely used in laser technology is fluence, which measures how much optical energy is delivered per unit area in one pulse. Its most common units are joules per square centimeter.

Pulse Duration or Width

Pulse duration, which is also frequently called pulse width, refers to the time a device takes to deliver energy to the treatment area or the time in which the targeted tissue is exposed to the laser energy. Thermal relaxation time (TRT) is a main determining factor for pulse duration. TRT refers to the amount of time it takes for targeted tissue to release more than 50% of the heat delivered with each pulse. Because energy is transferred to thermal heat when it penetrates the epidermis, the temperature of targeted tissue rises with each energy pulse. As energy disperses, tissue cools, though some heat is retained. To create the desired effect needed to adequately treat tissue, the energy needs to be retained in the targeted area rather than dispersed into the surrounding tissue. To do so, pulse duration must be faster than TRT. For larger areas, longer pulse durations are needed to adequately heat the target tissue. For smaller areas, a shorter pulse duration will deliver the same effect.

Pulse duration is also a key measurement for aesthetic providers looking to treat a wider range of skin tones. A longer pulse duration can allow for greater efficacy and safety while improving treatment time and  limiting the risk of discoloration in darker and tanned skin tones.  This is especially true in laser hair removal treatments. This is because devices with a longer pulse duration deliver energy to the targeted hair follicles over a longer period of time, decreasing the risk of heating and damaging the epidermis in the process. Lighter, shorter pulses also offer a more comfortable option for patients by keeping heat to a minimum.

Cooling

Finally, cooling is an important part of the process, particularly for patient comfort and customer satisfaction. Patients may not be happy with the results if they feel the outcome wasn’t worth the discomfort in the process, so ensure you discuss pain management with them in the initial consultation.

Many of today’s laser systems offer built-in cooling features to protect the epidermis while reducing risk of pain, erythema (redness), PIH, burns, and more. The main objective of any laser aesthetic treatment is to maximize thermal damage in the targeted chromophores while ensuring safety and minimizing injury to healthy surrounding skin, making cooling systems essential. In fact, built-in cooling devices that deliver a cooling effect in sync with thermal energy delivery can help to better deliver thermal therapy downwards to targeted tissue for improved treatment results while protecting superficial tissue in the process. Post-treatment cooling options to improve patient comfort as needed may include ice or gel cooling packs, cooling sprays, or topicals for pain relief.

Putting It All Together

Devices that offer the ability to adjust any or all of these four settings can help to maximize efficiency, improve patient comfort, and boost overall outcomes. One such device that offers safe, quick treatments for patients with a variety of skin tones while equipping operators with greater control over treatment settings and options is the  Venus Velocity™ laser diode hair removal device.

With the proven efficacy of diode laser technology and a real-time cooling system, Venus Velocity™ offers the optimal balance between high energy absorption of melanin chromophores and deep penetration into the skin, making it safe and effective for all skin types, including tanned skin. It is equipped with a dynamic Guided User Interface that allows the technician to input the area being treated, patient skin type, and the hair type specifics—the system will adjust to provide the parameter settings appropriate for optimal efficacy. Venus Velocity™ features a real-time built-in cooling system that monitors applicator temperature at a rate of 1,000 times per second. Providers may also choose between the three changeable spot sizes for greater time efficiency.

If you are looking for a more compact and cost-effective alternative, Venus Epileve™ is an easy-to-use tabletop diode laser device that delivers fast, comfortable treatments using pre-set parameters for predictable results. It provides a virtually painless experience for patients, which boosts client compliance without impacting efficacy.

Both devices feature two versatile modes of operation: Pulse mode and Slide mode. Pulse mode offers the option of a quick, single-pass treatment for high precision and optimal effects with a shorter treatment time, while Slide mode offers a virtually painless treatment for improved patient comfort with controlled treatment area sizes for technician guidance.

Finally, with a more enjoyable treatment experience for your patients, compliance and satisfaction are improved,  patient loyalty is increased, and acquisition through word of mouth may also see a boost , not to mention an increase in productivity within your clinic by cutting out downtime for cooling.

Interested in learning more about Venus Velocity™ or Venus Epileve™? Contact an expert today.

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