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For laser hair removal procedures, how much coverage does a single beam of laser cover?

When the technician is going over my skin there may be only 10 shots of light over a very big area and wondering if the jelly helps to disperse the light to cover a broader area?

Doctor Answers 3

Size of area covered with Laser Hair Removal

November 9th, 2015
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Hello, The area being treated is usually only covered by the area of the device being used. When gel is used, that is an IPL (light) device being used. Laser devices usually have "spot" size.  Only the area in the target of the "light" or "laser" will be effected.

Mark A. Blair, MD
November 9th, 2015

Size of area covered with Laser Hair Removal

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Hello, The area being treated is usually only covered by the area of the device being used. When gel is used, that is an IPL (light) device being used. Laser devices usually have "spot" size.  Only the area in the target of the "light" or "laser" will be effected.

Mark A. Blair, MD

Laser Hair Removal Beam SIze

November 9th, 2015
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Usually the laser beam is either a circle or square which covers about 1 cm in size or somewhat larger.  The trend over the years has been to create lasers with larger spot sizes to reduce the number of pulses needed and reduce the treatment time.  However, it would seem unusual to have a laser hair removal treatment done to a big area and only have 10 pulses delivered to the skin.  The gel does not really help the light disperse.  It mainly is used to help cool the skin and help the laser tip glide over the skin.
Richard Ort, MD

Richard Ort, MD
Lone Tree Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 27 reviews

November 9th, 2015

Laser Hair Removal Beam SIze

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Usually the laser beam is either a circle or square which covers about 1 cm in size or somewhat larger.  The trend over the years has been to create lasers with larger spot sizes to reduce the number of pulses needed and reduce the treatment time.  However, it would seem unusual to have a laser hair removal treatment done to a big area and only have 10 pulses delivered to the skin.  The gel does not really help the light disperse.  It mainly is used to help cool the skin and help the laser tip glide over the skin.
Richard Ort, MD

Richard Ort, MD
Lone Tree Dermatologic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 27 reviews

Laser Hair

November 9th, 2015
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The gel on the skin with certain laser hair removal machines such as IPL protect the skin from being burned.  Best, Dr. Green

Web reference: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/laser-hair-removal

Michele S. Green, MD
November 9th, 2015

Laser Hair

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The gel on the skin with certain laser hair removal machines such as IPL protect the skin from being burned.  Best, Dr. Green

Learn more: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/laser-hair-removal

Michele S. Green, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.