The primary advantage of using an ultra-long pulse 810nm diode laser on tanned skin is the ability to decouple effective hair destruction from epidermal injury. Unlike short-pulse devices that deliver energy in rapid, intense bursts, ultra-long pulse technology (ranging from 200 to 1000 milliseconds) releases energy uniformly to protect melanin-rich skin while maintaining efficacy.
By extending the pulse duration to match the "thermal damage time" of the follicle rather than just its thermal relaxation time, this technology creates a critical safety buffer. It allows the epidermis to dissipate heat effectively, significantly reducing the risk of burns and hyperpigmentation in tanned individuals.
The Mechanism of Pulse Duration
Matching Thermal Damage Time
Traditional laser hair removal typically relies on the concept of thermal relaxation time (TRT)—the time it takes for a target to cool down by 50%.
However, the ultra-long pulse 810nm diode operates on a different principle: matching the thermal damage time.
By extending the pulse width to 200–1000 milliseconds, the laser delivers energy over a sustained period rather than a sharp spike.
Uniform Energy Release
Short-pulse devices concentrate high peak power into a very short window.
In contrast, the ultra-long pulse system releases energy uniformly over the extended duration.
This steady delivery prevents the rapid temperature spikes that often cause surface damage on darker skin tones.
Why This Protects Tanned Skin
The Melanin Challenge
Tanned skin contains a higher concentration of epidermal melanin, which competes with the hair follicle for laser energy absorption.
If energy is delivered too quickly (short pulse), this epidermal melanin heats up faster than it can cool down, leading to burns.
Creating a Heat Dissipation Buffer
The extended pulse duration exploits the size difference between skin pigment and hair follicles.
Epidermal melanin particles are small and lose heat quickly; hair follicles are large and retain heat longer.
The ultra-long pulse allows the epidermis sufficient time to dissipate heat during the pulse, keeping the surface cool while the follicle continues to absorb energy.
Reducing Adverse Events
This mechanism significantly lowers the risk of hyperpigmentation and thermal burns.
It transforms the 810nm wavelength, which usually has moderate melanin absorption, into a safe option for tanned skin through temporal modulation.
Efficacy and Energy Density
Maintaining Follicular Destruction
Despite the slower delivery, the follicle accumulates enough thermal energy to be destroyed.
Because the follicle has a larger volume, it cannot dissipate the heat as fast as the epidermis, leading to selective destruction.
Safely Increasing Fluence
Longer pulse widths allow clinicians to safely use higher energy densities.
For example, extending the pulse width can allow for an energy increase of approximately 30 percent (e.g., from 20J/cm² to 30J/cm²) without compromising safety.
This ensures that even deep-seated follicles receive sufficient destructive energy.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Pulse Width vs. Peak Power
While ultra-long pulses offer superior safety for tanned skin, they fundamentally change the heating profile compared to short-pulse lasers.
Short pulses rely on high peak power for mechanical damage, whereas long pulses rely on sustained bulk heating.
Comparison to Other Wavelengths
It is important to distinguish this from 1064nm (Nd:YAG) lasers, which achieve safety through low melanin absorption physics.
The ultra-long pulse 810nm achieves safety through time physics.
While 1064nm is excellent for the darkest skin types (Type VI) due to depth of penetration, the ultra-long 810nm provides a specialized alternative for tanned skin by managing the heating rate of the epidermis.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
- If your primary focus is preventing hyperpigmentation in tanned patients: Utilize the ultra-long pulse (200-1000ms) to ensure the epidermis has a sufficient heat dissipation buffer.
- If your primary focus is maximizing energy delivery safely: Leverage the extended pulse duration to increase energy density (fluence) by up to 30%, ensuring deep follicle destruction without surface burns.
The ultra-long pulse 810nm diode creates a unique safety window by ensuring the hair follicle reaches its thermal damage threshold before the tanned epidermis can overheat.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Traditional Short-Pulse (Short TRT) | Ultra-Long Pulse (200-1000ms) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Delivery | Rapid, intense bursts | Uniform, sustained release |
| Safety Mechanism | Relies on low absorption | Thermal damage time matching |
| Epidermal Impact | High risk of burns/hyperpigmentation | Heat dissipates during pulse |
| Fluence (Energy) | Limited by skin sensitivity | Can be safely increased by ~30% |
| Target Result | High peak power mechanical damage | Selective bulk heating destruction |
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References
- Arlene S. Rogachefsky, David J. Goldberg. Evaluation of a super long pulsed 810-nm diode hair removal laser in suntanned individuals. DOI: 10.1080/146288301753377942
This article is also based on technical information from Belislaser Knowledge Base .
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