Matt Brown - The Laser Guy

If it looks like a horse, rides like a horse , neighs like a horse and eats like a horse, it is probably a type of horse. The beauty industry loves big acronyms, technical words and even bigger claims. IPL is described as old. DPL is called the next generation. BBL is often presented as though it is a completely different form of energy. The truth is much simpler. IPL, DPL and BBL are closely related pulsed-light technologies. They use non-coherent light to target melanin, haemoglobin and other structures in the skin. They broadly treat the same things: Pigmentation and sun damage Redness and small vascular concerns Acne Hair reduction Skin rejuvenation Skin tone and clarity Each does it slightly differently, but they are not completely different animals. The Simple Explanation Technology What it really is IPL Broad-spectrum light shaped using interchangeable filters DPL A narrower, fixed band of pulsed light designed for a particular job BBL Sciton’s proprietary and highly developed b...

What Laser Certifications Actually Mean ( and its not much ) FDA, CE, TGA, TÜV, MDSAP and the myth of "Medsafe Approved" A certificate may show that a specific regulatory requirement has been met. It does not prove that a laser is premium quality, performs well or has been physically tested by a government regulator. Beauty laser brochures are covered in impressive acronyms: FDA, CE, TGA, TÜV, MDSAP and often "Medsafe Approved". Clinic owners are encouraged to see these as gold stars for quality and safety. That is the problem. These systems all have a purpose, but none is a simple quality rating. They do not tell you whether the machine uses good components, delivers accurate energy, cools properly or will still perform after thousands of shots. Here is what each one actually means. 1. Medsafe: there is no "Medsafe Approved" laser Medsafe clearly states that WAND is not an approval system . WAND is the New Zealand database used to record medical devices a...

If you are running a busy clinic, your treatment rooms are prime real estate. Every 20 to 30-minute slot needs to deliver a real, visible result for your client, or your retention rates drop. Lately, the New Zealand market has been flooded with miniature LED panels, flexible masks, and small benchtop devices. They are inexpensive, they look portable, and the marketing claims attached to them are massive. Wholesale suppliers love to pass these off as clinical solutions by throwing around big numbers, like thousands of Total Watts or hundreds of tiny LED bulbs. But as a clinic owner or manager, you need to look past the sales pitch and examine the hard physics. Peer-reviewed clinical trials establish that real cellular change requires high, sustained energy levels that small, low-power consumer devices simply cannot produce. The Math Behind a Clinical Result In phototherapy, we are trying to trigger a specific biological response - like forcing acne bacteria to self-destruct or stimulati...

Why service records matter more than most clinics realise. Lasers and light-based devices are now a normal part of the beauty, skin and appearance industry in New Zealand. IPL, Diode, Nd:YAG, Q-Switch, DPL and similar devices are used every day in clinics for hair removal, tattoo removal, pigmentation, vascular work and skin treatments. Recently, we have seen some unfortunate cases where clients have been burnt, complaints have been made to the Health and Disability Commissioner , and insurance companies have become involved in claims. It is not ideal for anyone — the client, the operator, or the clinic owner. In several cases, the situation has been made worse because the laser or IPL device did not have correct service records, calibration reports, or safety testing in place. When operators cannot prove that a device was maintained correctly and operating within the manufacturer’s specifications, they can be left seriously exposed. Councils Are Paying More Attention Many councils now...

Because the machine is only half the purchase. Support, safety, proof, and accountability are the other half. Buying a clinic laser is a serious investment. Not just in dollars, but in outcomes, client trust, and compliance. And here’s the reality: every laser needs support eventually. Parts wear. Cooling systems need maintenance. Handpieces get knocked. Software updates happen. Calibrations get requested. The question isn’t if you’ll need help, it’s who’s going to deliver it when you do. Before you buy, ask these 10 questions to any supplier. A professional operation will answer them clearly and back them with proof. 1) Is supplying lasers your full-time business, with real infrastructure? Some suppliers are fully dedicated to distribution, service, and support. Others sell devices on the side, alongside another business. Ask: Is laser supply your full-time operation? Who handles installs, training, servicing, and warranty support day-to-day? What happens if you’re away, sick, or busy...

Understanding IPL Filters Why “that little piece of glass” matters more than most people realise If you’ve spent any time around IPL, you’ve probably heard someone say something like:“Just chuck the 640 filter in and you’re only treating 640nm.” It sounds tidy. It’s also not how IPL filters work, and that misunderstanding is one of the easiest ways to end up with inconsistent results, unnecessary inflammation, or straight-up avoidable burns. Let’s clear it up properly. The two biggest myths about IPL filters Myth 1: “The filter only lets through the wavelength written on it” When people see a filter marked 520, 590, 640, they often assume that number is the only  wavelength coming out. In reality, with the common cut-off filters used in IPL, that number is usually telling you the lowest wavelength allowed through, not the only wavelength. So a “590” cut-off filter typically means:it blocks wavelengths below ~590nm and allows a broad band above it to pass (up to whatever the system’s la...

The aesthetic laser market is flooded with hype, misleading specs, and straight-up lies designed to separate inexperienced buyers from their money. Here are the fifteen most common claims that simply do not hold up under real clinical scrutiny. “Our triple-wavelength diode (755 + 808 + 1064 nm) is better than any single-wavelength system” Combining three compromised diodes into one handpiece almost always delivers weaker performance on every skin/hair combination than dedicated single-wavelength medical-grade platforms. “All Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers are basically the same” Beam profile, true nanosecond stability, energy homogeneity, and power density vary massively. A $15k unit and a proper medical platform both say “Q-switched Nd:YAG” on the box, but one clears tattoos and pigment safely in 6–10 sessions, the other drags it out to 15–20+ with more side effects. “Our laser permanently removes white, grey, blonde, or red hair” Zero melanin = zero selective target. No current laser or...