A pulse width of approximately 3.5ms is critical because it is specifically calibrated to remain shorter than the Thermal Relaxation Time (TRT) of the target hair follicle. By delivering the laser energy within this precise window, the system ensures that heat builds up rapidly inside the follicle before it has time to dissipate into the surrounding tissue. This achieves the destruction of the hair structure while keeping the adjacent skin safe and cool.
The Core Principle: The effectiveness of a laser treatment relies on "beating the clock" of the target's cooling rate. The 3.5ms setting confines thermal damage strictly to the hair follicle by delivering energy faster than the follicle can release it.
The Physics of Thermal Relaxation
Defining Thermal Relaxation Time (TRT)
Thermal Relaxation Time is the time it takes for a target structure to cool down by 50% after being heated. To destroy a target without burning the surroundings, the laser pulse duration must be shorter than this specific timeframe.
Why 3.5ms is the Threshold
A 3.5ms pulse width is selected because it matches the specific TRT requirements of the target hair follicles. If the pulse were significantly longer than the TRT, the follicle would begin to cool down during the shot, rendering the treatment ineffective.
Achieving Selective Photothermolysis
Confining the Heat
The primary goal of this setting is energy confinement. By adhering to the 3.5ms limit, the laser energy is trapped within the hair shaft and the germinal cells.
Rapid Temperature Rise
Because the energy is delivered quickly, the temperature of the follicle rises much faster than that of the surrounding skin. This differential heating is the mechanism that ensures the follicle is destroyed while the epidermis remains unharmed.
Preventing Collateral Damage
This precise timing prevents heat from "leaking" out into the surrounding dermis. If the heat were allowed to dissipate, it could cause burns or collateral damage to non-target tissues.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Risk of Pulse Mismatch
While 3.5ms is effective for specific targets, it is crucial to understand that TRT varies by size. A pulse that is too long for a fine hair (which cools quickly) will fail to destroy it. Conversely, a pulse that is too short might cause surface snapping without deep heating.
Pulse Width and Skin Cooling
The 3.5ms setting relies on the difference in cooling rates between the cylindrical hair follicle and the flat epidermis. The epidermis dissipates heat faster; therefore, the correct pulse width allows the skin to cool down while the follicle continues to accumulate destructive heat.
Depth of Penetration
It is important to remember that this pulse width operates in conjunction with the 1064nm wavelength. This wavelength penetrates 5mm to 7mm deep, ensuring the 3.5ms pulse acts on deep-seated structures like the bulge area, not just the surface hair.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
When configuring your laser system, understanding the relationship between pulse width and target size is essential for safety and efficacy.
- If your primary focus is fine to medium hair removal: The 3.5ms pulse is ideal as it delivers energy faster than these smaller targets can cool down, ensuring effective destruction.
- If your primary focus is maximizing safety on darker skin: Ensure the pulse width is not shorter than necessary, as extremely short pulses can increase epidermal intensity; the 3.5ms setting strikes a balance between aggression and confinement.
Mastering the 3.5ms parameter allows you to exploit the physics of cooling to destroy the target while sparing the patient's skin.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Specification/Detail | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Target Pulse Width | ~3.5ms | Matches Thermal Relaxation Time (TRT) of hair follicles |
| Core Mechanism | Selective Photothermolysis | Confines heat to the follicle, preventing skin burns |
| Wavelength | 1064nm (Nd:YAG) | Deep penetration (5-7mm) to reach the hair bulge |
| Safety Focus | Differential Cooling | Allows epidermis to cool faster than the hair follicle |
| Ideal Hair Type | Fine to Medium | Rapid energy delivery prevents heat dissipation in smaller targets |
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References
- Nathalie Fournier, Serge Mordon. Hair removal with an Athos Nd:YAG 3.5 ms pulse laser: a 3-month clinical study. DOI: 10.1080/14628830050516362
This article is also based on technical information from Belislaser Knowledge Base .
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