Matt Brown - The Laser Guy

Welcome back to the Zenith Laser blog! If you're exploring laser hair removal options, you've likely come across terms like IPL, DPL, Diode, and Nd:YAG. These technologies use specific light wavelengths to target hair follicles, but their effectiveness and safety vary based on skin tone. In this post, we'll break down the key wavelengths for each device, explain how they work, and discuss their suitability for different skin types using the Fitzpatrick scale. We'll also address the risks of multi-wavelength machines. Whether you're fair-skinned or have deeper tones, understanding these differences can help you choose the right technology for smooth, long-lasting results. The Fitzpatrick Scale: A Guide to Skin Tones Before diving into the technologies, let's talk about the Fitzpatrick scale—a classification system developed by dermatologist Thomas Fitzpatrick in 1975. It categorizes skin into six types (I-VI) based on melanin content, how the skin reacts to sun e...

A Technician’s Perspective I’ve lost count of the times I’ve opened a laser and found the insides corroded, slimy, and smelling like an old fish tank. Algae on the pipes. Fungal growth in the tank. Brown water where clean, clear water should be. The truth is, the warm water in a laser’s cooling system is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and corrosion. The damage this causes is often more expensive to repair than buying a whole new laser  — thanks to the excessive prices many suppliers and manufacturers charge for parts. I’ve seen quotes of $10,000 for a handle  and $15,000 for a YAG rod . It’s madness, especially when most of this could have been avoided with regular servicing, proper water changes, and annual calibration. And yet, I still get calls from people who were sold a laser and told, “You don’t need servicing”  or “Just replace the handle and you’ll be fine.”  That’s not just bad advice — it’s dangerous. Those shortcuts ruin machines, put clients at risk, and l...

In the beauty and aesthetics industry, multi-wavelength diode lasers  — typically advertised as triple  or quad wavelength  systems — are being marketed as the “ultimate solution” for hair removal. The pitch sounds convincing: combine multiple wavelengths in one handpiece, and you can target all skin types and hair colours in a single pass. Unfortunately, the reality is very different — and in many cases, these machines can actually deliver worse  results, not better. How Multi-Wavelength Diodes Work (and Why It’s a Problem) A diode laser stack produces its energy using a series of diode bars. In a pure single-wavelength system  (such as a traditional 808 nm diode), 100% of the stack’s power output is dedicated to that wavelength, delivering consistent, high-energy treatment to the hair follicle. In a triple wavelength  diode stack, you’re splitting the stack into three sets of diode bars — for example: 755 nm  (often marketed for finer, lighter hair) 808 nm  (the gold standard for mos...