The use of a cosmetology laser almost always requires cooling measures skin. They are used to prevent burns and increase the comfort of the procedure. The need to use skin cooling depends on both the choice of the laser system and the type of procedure. For example, when using solid-state laser modules, the selectivity of laser radiation is much higher than when using diode lasers, so the likelihood of burns and other skin damage when using solid-state lasers is much lower. If, when using alexandrite or neodymium lasers, the use of cooling is rather recommended for some procedures, then when using diode lasers, cooling is an obligatory attribute of the procedure.
In addition, recommendations for using skin cooling depend on the type of procedure. For example, among aesthetic procedures, the most uncomfortable sensations for the patient are the removal of superficial vessels and sprockets, therefore, in this case, it is necessary to use cooling for all categories of patients.
Today there are 3 main types of cooling systems:
All of the above systems have their own advantages and disadvantages, which will be discussed below.
As the name implies, this system cools the treated area of the skin with a stream of cold air. A relatively common technological solution, it is usually installed on premium lasers.
It has very wide settings, but it has large dimensions comparable to the dimensions of the laser itself.
The advantages of these systems include:
Disadvantages of air cooling:
The operation of the cryogenic system is based on the use of liquefied gas (freon), which is exactly the same (but of higher quality) as in refrigerators, air conditioners, and other household appliances.
Due to its complexity and high cost, freon cooling is quite rare. It is a fairly effective way to cool the treated area, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage of CCS. A high cooling rate allows to achieve a high speed of work, but due to technical problems or inexperience of the doctor, it can lead to overcooling of the treated area (unlike contact and air systems, which can only lead to burns due to insufficient cooling).
CCS has the following advantages:
The disadvantages of the cryogenic system:
Contact cooling is a fairly common way to protect the patient’s skin. As the least complex technical solution, contact cooling system is often used in low-cost laser systems.
However, sometimes contact cooling is also used in high-end devices. In such devices, sapphire glass is used as a contact element, because of all minerals sapphire has the lowest degree of absorption of electromagnetic radiation, with satisfactory thermal conductivity.
The main advantages of contact systems:
However, contact cooling system has such significant disadvantages as:
A modern cooling system should provide not only safety, but also comfort and speed of the procedure. Beauty salons and clinics that satisfy these requirements can count on customer loyalty and good reviews. Therefore, manufacturers of medical lasers and peripherals are constantly working to improve the quality of customer service and satisfy all its requirements.