Tag: FDA

The History of Laser Hair Removal

The lasers used for laser hair removal developed from a theory instituted by the Nobel prize-winning physicists Albert Einstein and Max Planck. This theory, first introduced in the 1920s, defined stimulated emission, or laser. The word laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the first true laser was built and patented by Gordon Gould, an American physicist.

Laser hair removal devices of the 1960s sent out a continuous wavelength which caused damage to the surrounding skin tissue. In the late 1960s, Dr. Leon Goldman was the first to begin testing a ruby laser for hair removal. It was also in this time frame that the Q switch with developed for use with a laser. With the development of the Q switch it was possible to control the energy of the laser beam to be sent to out in controlled pulses. The Q switch worked much in the same way as a camera shutter.

Early devices for laser hair removal proved to be ineffective. In order to remove the hair follicle, there was severe damage to the surrounding skin area. The ruby laser, as well as the argon laser, are no longer used for laser hair removal.

Throughout the next several decades, researchers and physicists continued to experiment and test lasers for successful hair removal. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the first laser was introduced as a safe and effective method of hair removal. This discovery actually happened by chance when scientists noted that birthmarks treated with certain types of lasers caused the hair in that area to disappear and not grow back.

The FDA cleared the first laser for hair removal in 1995 . This laser, called the Soft Light, was a NeoDymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnets laser and was manufactured by Thermolaise. This laser was used with a chromophore of carbon-based lotion. After the skin was waxed, the carbon-based lotion would be rubbed onto the skin and enter the hair follicle. The beam of light produced by the laser would heat the carbon quickly and destroy the hair follicle. However, this type of laser treatment could easily damage nearby skin cells. Eventually, this type of laser hair removal proved to be less effective than targeting the natural pigmentation that existed in the skin.

In 1997, several types of laser hair removal devices were cleared by the F DA. One of these was the ruby laser, which used a shorter wavelength system. However, clinical research eventually showed that the laser did not produce damage far enough down the hair shaft to result in permanent hair loss. Researchers also found that if a t the ruby laser was used on people with dark or tan skin there was a high risk of hyperpigmentation. Other types of laser hair removal devices today include alexandrite, diode, and NeoDymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnets lasers.

Research and development in the area of laser hair removal are still in the early stages. However, continuing research, testing and development in this area continues to produce safer and more effective equipment.

Laser Hair Removal Devices

There are several different types of laser hair removal devices available today. These are alexandrite lasers, diode lasers, ruby lasers, and NeoDymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnets, which is commonly referred to as Nd:YAGs.

Alexandrite lasers became available for use in laser hair removal in 1997 when they were cleared by the FDA. Alexandrite lasers produce light beams in the red spectrum of visible light.
Their wavelength is 755 nanometers which is very effective but only safe on light skin. Generally, alexandrite lasers are considered long pulsed and because of this produce greater depth penetration. Five different types of the alexandrite laser are available. These include the Apogee, GentleLase, Epicare, Epitouch Alex, and Ultrawave II-III.

The FDA also cleared diode lasers for use in 1997 as an effective method of permanent hair reduction. Diode lasers produce a wavelength of 800 nanometers with pulse widths of 5-400 milliseconds. This type of laser has proved successful in the treatment of ingrown eyelashes and works very well on dark hair. The Light SheerXC is a diode laser that is extremely powerful. Other diode lasers include EpiStar, Apex-800, Iridex, and Mediostar.

Ruby lasers were also cleared by the FDA for laser hair removal in 1997, however, they did not prove as effective. Clinical research showed that the laser damage did not extend far enough down into the hair shafts to result in permanent laser hair removal. Originally there were five types of ruby lasers, of which only two are still available for commercial use. A Ruby lasers operate on a shorter wavelength system of only 694 nanometers.

NeoDymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnets have a longer wavelength which makes them more effective for longer term, and according to some people, even permanent laser hair removal. There are two types of Nd:YAGs lasers. These are the Q switched and the long pulse. All Nd:YAGs produce a wavelength of 1064 nanometers. The Q, switched NeoDymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnets has a very short pulse of about one nanosecond. Long pulse NeoDymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnets have a pulse of about a millisecond and can be used on all skin types.

The pulse duration, or pulse width, of lasers used for hair removal is the timing of the light energy. It is usually measured in milliseconds. Most lasers used for hair removal have a maximum pulse duration in the 20 to 40 millisecond range. Longer pulse widths are generally considered more effective and produce fewer side effects.

Each type of laser produces a specific spot size which is measured in millimeters. The spot size is the size, or width, of the beam of light at the laser sends out. A spot size of seven to 10 mm is considered acceptable for laser hair removal.

Most lasers have three main parts, an energy source, and active medium, and an optical cavity, also known as a resonator. The energy source is a device that supplies energy to the active medium. Laser hair removal devices use electricity as their energy source. The element of the active medium contains atoms that can both absorb and store the energy. The optical cavity is the part of the laser that contains the active medium. Lasers are defined by the elements they use.

Preparing for a Laser Teeth Whitening Procedure

Tooth whitening is a method where many people take when they noticed that their teeth have been stained. Tooth discoloration is due to smoking, chemicals or food stained by medications and aging.

Now with the latest technology, tooth whitening can be done easily and in some instances teeth may be whitened beyond its natural teeth color. Laser teeth whitening procedure is able to fix certain forms of yellow, brown and spotted tooth staining and suitable on people of all ages. This is a good choice in restoring the brightness and bringing the smile alive.

In New York, laser teeth whitening is done in clinics using genuine laser system from Opus 10 and LaserSmile. Red light is generated when laser tooth whitening is done.

Here are some benefits of laser teeth whitening:

1.It is much faster and gentlest whitening system than ordinary or non-laser system. Laser teeth whitening takes only 16 minutes of gel-to-teeth contact time compared to 60 minutes for non-laser system.
2.In laser system you don’t need to wear the tray overnight while in other whitening system it requires the whitening gel to be worn overnight.
3.Less post-procedure sensitivity and faster treatment time because laser tooth whitening system has more efficient laser energy due to precise wavelengths.

There are some things that should take into consideration before undergoing a laser teeth whitening procedure.

It is not recommended for alcohol users or smokers to undergo bleaching. It should be avoided before the teeth undergo bleaching process. Smoking is the cause of damage to gums and tissue on teeth and may trounce the effect of whitening. The top customer for laser teeth whitening is those who have teeth discolored caused by aging, coffee or tobacco.

Porcelain restorations and extensive composite. Pre-existing restoration such as crowns, veneers, bonding, bridges and fillings are not appropriate for bleaching; instead it will be replaced in match with the color to your newly whitened shade.

Former existing sensitive and translucent teeth. More than half of those who undergo laser teeth whitening will experience the pain of sensitive teeth for 1-4 days. But the pain will just ease when bleaching is almost done. Some of translucent teeth may appear darker after bleaching.

Restoration of Amalgam in front teeth and exposed yellow in gingival third. It is required to have a protected prognosis for tooth whitening and also replacement of amalgam is needed to avoid the greening effect.

Unrealistic expectation or noncompliance. The level of teeth whiteness from one person to another differs. Also the result of color shade change relies on each individual’s reaction to the whitening agent. Some people may or may not react in this condition.

Kinds of Tooth Whitening

1.In-office tooth whitening It just takes an hour for the laser teeth whitening to be completed. And also it ensures that proper check up is done before the treatment so that proper precaution such as damming gum line is done before application of whitening gel.
2.Take home tooth whitening the use of this take home whitening kit differs from its overnight application to a twice-a-day treatment.

In New York, laser teeth whitening are now popular because it is recommended by the FDA, ADA and CE. People enjoy the good result of laser teeth whitening and it is much safer than other whitening system. Always remember that there are some things that should be consider for a much safer and successful laser teeth whitening.

Arthritis Diet – Relieve Your Pain

Arthritis Diet – Relieve Your Pain
Hans Hasselfors

People who suffer from arthritis are always looking for ways to
relieve their pain. One way to ease or even prevent it is
through an arthritis diet. There are some arthritis diets that
some people will swear by, but have never been proven to make a
difference. There are some diets that make a definite difference
according to health experts.

First we’ll take a look at some arthritis diets where there’s
little or no evidence that they actually make a difference. One
of the most common arthritis diets is to eliminate potatoes,
tomatoes, eggplants, and most peppers. While the diet won’t do
any harm, it hasn’t been proven to affect arthritis at all.
Another arthritis diet seeks to reduce the acids in one’s body
eliminating sugar, coffee, red meat, most grains, nuts, and
citrus fruits. It’s intended to be followed for just one month.
People may feel better because they lose weight which reduces
the stress on their joints, but again there is no evidence to
support this. It also excludes many sources of vitamin C which
is essential in fighting arthritis. Drinking green tea has been
shown to reduce the effects of rheumatoid arthritis in mice, but
there are no conclusive results on human studies yet. Shark
cartilage is supposed to relieve arthritis. Animal and lab
studies show promise, but there are no human studies to support
this yet.

Not let’s take a look at some arthritis diets that have been
shown to work. Switching fats can reduce inflammation. Eating
fats found in red meat and poultry have actually been shown to
increase inflammation. Switching to cold water fish can help
reduce the inflammation. Using corn, safflower, and sunflower
oils also helps. Another arthritis diet is the ASU
(avocado-soybean unsaponifiable). It has been shown to relieve
osteoarthritis, stimulate cartilage repair, and lessen a
patient’s need to NSAIDs to control pain. Ginger has been shown
to ease pain and inflammation as well as protect the stomach
from gastrointestinal effects from taking NSAIDs. Glucosamine is
a supplement that relieves pain in some patients with
osteoarthritis. It helps the body rebuild cartilage, but can
take up to two months to see the effects. If you are allergic to
shellfish, check with your doctor before taking this as it is
derived from crab, lobster, or shrimp shells. Before taking any
supplements talk with your doctor as some can interfere with or
worsen side effects from your medications.

Of course the best arthritis diet is a good old-fashioned well
balanced diet. Eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables, and
go easy on fats and cholesterol. A heart healthy diet is
especially important to patients with rheumatoid arthritis as
studies have shown a link between this disease and heart
failure. Vitamin C is good for repairing body tissue. Vitamin D
helps absorb calcium, build bone mass, and prevents bone loss.
Calcium helps strengthen your bones. If you are on medication,
ask your doctor if he/she recommends taking vitamins. Some
medications can create vitamin or mineral deficiencies. When
choosing your arthritis diet, be sure to talk with your
physician as different types of arthritis have different needs.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical
practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes
only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always
seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care
provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical
condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay
in seeking it because of something you have read. Since natural
and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be
accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that
the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product
is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.”

About the author:
About the Author: Hans Hasselfors is the founder of SubmitYourNewArticle.c
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ritis pain.