Infrared Measurement May Optimize Laser Hair Removal

Pulsed photo-thermal radiometry can accurately predict individual maximum safe radiant exposure

(HealthDay News) -- In assessing patients scheduled to undergo laser hair removal, a method involving infrared measurement of human skin temperature can accurately predict individual maximum safe radiant exposure, according to a report published in the December issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.

Wim Verkruysse, Ph.D., of the Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic at the University of California-Irvine, and colleagues took pulsed photo-thermal radiometry measurements of 403 spots on 13 volunteers and used the radiometric signal at 20 milliseconds after the diagnostic laser pulse to predict the individual maximum safe radiant exposure.

The researchers found that pulsed photo-thermal radiometry accurately predicted individual maximum safe radiant exposure across a broad range of human skin photo-types (I-IV).

"Realizing that diagnostic measurements with an infrared camera are not clinically feasible due to prohibitive costs, we analyzed the data such that we are confident that a similar result could be recorded with an inexpensive single element infrared detector, thus enhancing the prospects for a successful clinical introduction," the authors conclude.

This is good news for people who plan to have Laser Hair Removal soon.

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