ND YAG Lasers

Professional Nd:YAG Laser Equipment

With all the laser equipment available in the market these days, it must be hard to find the one that’s perfect for you. It would help if you looked through different manufacturers and various devices that offer varied technology, which can also be a lot of work. This article is for you if you already know what laser equipment is best for you, particularly Nd:YAG.

What is Nd:YAG Laser Equipment?

Nd:YAG laser equipment is one of the laser technology of the advanced type, which is commonly used to treat different kinds of skin disorders, certain eye disorders, as well as permanent hair and tattoo removal. Dermatologists widely use it for to manage a wide array of skin conditions.

What Benefits Your Clients Can Get from Nd:YAG Laser Machines?

Nd:YAG laser machines are considered a staple in dermatology clinics because of its multiple uses. There are plenty of things that can be done using Nd:YAG laser machines. Various skin disorders such as vascular lesions, pigmented lesions, hair removal, tattoo removal, onychomycosis (a common nail disorder), and even wrinkled skin can be treated using this equipment.

Types of Nd:YAG Laser Systems

Nd:YAG lasers have three systems or modes namely Q-Switched, long pulse, and picosecond:

Q-Switched – this laser produces remarkably short bursts of energy, transforming into immense amounts of power. This is used in tattoo removal to break the most stubborn ink color. It is also the system used for pigmented lesions treatment.
Long-pulsed mode – this system is used for permanent hair removal treatment in patients with dark skin, especially those who have dark and coarse hair. This system is the most “pigment-friendly” as it is the safest method to use for these patients with minimal to no side effects like scarring, burning, and discoloration.
Picosecond mode – this system is much more powerful than Q-Switched that this one is generally used for tattoo removal.

How Do Nd:YAG Laser Machines Work?

Nd:YAG (Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser machines can produce an almost infrared wavelength that infiltrates deep into the skin and is automatically absorbed by both the melanin and the hemoglobin. It uses a man-made crystal in solid-state thrusted by a high intensity lamp and put into a cavity capable of intensifying the power of laser.

Nd:YAG laser energy is carefully absorbed by the dermis in its deeper level which can treat the deeper vascular lesions, including spider veins, leg veins, and hemangiomas (a vascular tumor).

Nd:YAG Laser Treatment

Nd:YAG laser treatment is one of the popular laser treatments in the market today. It can address multiple cosmetic conditions that it has also become popular in dermatology clinics. Read on to find out more about this type of laser treatment.

What is Nd:YAG Laser Treatment?

Because of its property of maximum energy absorption by the target (lesion or hair) with minimum absorption by the surrounding skin structures, Nd:YAG laser treatment can be considered as a staple for cosmetic energy. There are plenty of conditions that Nd:YAG laser treatment can address, including different types of skin problems, eye problems, permanent hair removal, and tattoo removal.

Who Needs Nd:YAG Laser Treatment?

While Nd:YAG laser treatment is extremely beneficial, not everyone needs this treatment as it addresses specific concerns. Basically, would only need this laser treatment if your concern is one or more of the following:

Vascular veins – these include both spider and thread veins in the face and legs as well as vascular birthmark, varicose veins, facial veins, and hemangioma.
Pigmented lesions – these include removal of brown age spots and freckles.
Hair removal – these include hair removal in any part of the body—underarms, bikini line, face, neck, chest, and back. Note that Nd:YAG is recommended only for those who have darker skin and have dark and coarse hair otherwise it won’t be effective.
Tattoo removal – different systems of Nd:YAG laser treatment is available depending on your tattoo’s color intensity.
Nail disorders such as onychomycosis.

Does Nd:YAG Laser Really Work?

Nd:YAG laser treatment is highly effective, especially if the patient follows the treatment plan. For example, when used as hair removal treatment, 23-33% of hair reduction can be noticed after a single session. The number increases to 58-62% after 3 sessions and 100% after 5-7 sessions.

Nd:YAG Laser Results

Just like other laser treatments available in the market, Nd:YAG laser treatment results also depends on the number of sessions. Meanwhile, the number of sessions depends on the patient. One study was conducted and supported Nd:YAG treatment is safe and effective after an average of 6 consecutive sessions for hair removal of patients with darker skin types.

How Often You Should Get Nd:YAG Laser Treatment?

You need several weeks of treatment to achieve desired results of Nd:YAG laser treatment. This also depends on the treatment that needs to be done and how intense it would be. You skin type is another factor that needs to be considered. On the average, you need 2-6 laser treatments to get the favorable results.

What are the Side-Effects of Nd:YAG Laser? Does It Hurt?

Nd:YAG laser treatment, much like other treatments, also has side effects, all of which are usually temporary. Below are some of the known side-effects of this treatment:

It can be painful. Thus your dermatologist might use a topical anesthetic.
You may experience redness, swelling and itching right after the procedure, which can last a few days.
In some rare occasions, you may acquire blisters especially when your skin pigment absorbs too much light energy.
Some patients experience bruising which normally fades on its own.
There are very rare occasions of bacterial infection.

How Many Nd:YAG Laser Treatments Are Needed?

The number of Nd:YAG laser treatments you need depends on a few factors including your skin type and the treatment you want to be done. Below are the average number of sessions you need reliant of the type of procedure.

Vascular lesions – small red vessels can normally be treated within 1-3 sessions, but for larger ones, several sessions might be necessary to yield noticeable results.
Hair removal – this usually requires 2-6 sessions with 4-6 weeks intervals but can be more if the patient has darker skin.
Tattoo removal – this depends on the ink color intensity and on the average, you need 5-20 sessions with a 7-week interval to see desired results.
Onychomycosis – this treatment requires 4 treatments with 4-week intervals.

How Long Does It Take To See Results From Nd:YAG Laser?

Depending on the type of Nd:YAG treatment, it can take several weeks before you can see your desired results. Hair removal might take 8-36 weeks before you can see the hair growth completely gone, while it takes at least 35 weeks for tattoos to significantly fade if not completely removed. Onychomycosis, on the other hand, takes at least 12 weeks to yield favorable results.

What is the After-Care for Nd:YAG Laser?

Nd:YAG laser treatment have several after-care requirements that you need to follow for the entire duration of your treatment. You need to make sure that you can adhere to these after-care procedures to avoid unwanted and prolonged side effects.

An ice pack can be applied to soothe the treated area right after the procedure.
You will be advised to avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for months after your procedure.
Wearing sunscreen is a must, especially in the areas that are being treated.
Avoid using abrasive skin products and scrubbing on the treatment area.

How Long do Nd:YAG Laser Results Last?

The longevity of Nd:YAG laser results depends on the treatment that was done to you. If you underwent treatments for tattoo removal or skin lesions, the results may be permanent. If you had hair removal treatment or you are addressing skin wrinkles and other signs of skin aging, you may be required to repeat the procedure occasionally to sustain the desired result.

Can You Have Nd:YAG Laser After Botox?

Essentially, you should be able to undergo laser treatment after Botox. In some cases, they can even be a combined procedure. However, most experts do not recommend this, as you are prone to potential side effects like swelling, which can damage your tissue and affect the end result. Thus, it is suggested to wait at least 2 weeks after the Botox treatment before the patients undergoes laser treatment.

Nd:YAG Laser Benefits

As Nd:YAG laser treatment can address multiple cosmetic concerns, it offers plenty of advantages or benefits. Here are some of them:

Noticeable improvement in skin tone.
Reduction of thread facial vein
Reduction of skin wrinkles and fine lines in the face
Treatment of sun damage
Firm and tightened skin
Stimulation of new collagen
Production of elastin tissue

Nd:YAG Laser Recovery Time

Patients do not need a long time to recover from Nd:YAG laser treatment. Bruising is expected in the treated area, especially if it has a lot of pigment. Shallow blisters can appear but ultimately, the skin heals within 7-10 days. Although in some cases wherein there is a significant damage that needs to be treated, your skin may remain pinkish for 2-4 weeks.

Nd:YAG Laser Pros and Cons

While Nd:YAG laser treatment has a lot of advantages to offer, it also has some disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons of this laser treatment:

Pros include:

Safe for all skin types as it doesn’t target the melanin directly. Highly recommended for patients with darker skin types.
Nd:YAG laser treatment sessions are shorter than others making it a bit more comfortable.
It is more effective for removing unwanted hairs compared to IPL treatment.
Great for treating larger areas.

Cons include:

It is not effective on patients with fine hairs; thus, it is recommended for those who have dark and coarse hairs.
This laser treatment is somewhat painful which makes it uncomfortable.

Nd:YAG Laser Treatment Before and After

Just like the other laser treatments, tanning or heavy sun exposure should be avoided before your session. It is also recommended for you to use broad-spectrum sunscreen everyday for 4 weeks before the treatment. As Nd:YAG laser treatment is known to be a bit more painful, a topical or local anesthesia will be applied to the treatment area before the procedure starts.

Keep in mind of the after-care procedures once the treatment is done. Redness and itchiness are expected and common side-effects of Nd:YAG laser, which can last for a few days. After a treatment plan is completed, you’ll see visible results such as permanent and complete removal of hair, tattoo, skin lesions, and noticeable reduction of skin aging signs all depending on the outcome you are going after.

Nd:YAG Laser Cost in the US

The price for Nd:YAG laser in the US, or in any other country for that matter, depends on several factors like the level of expertise of the your provider, the type or the system of Nd:YAG that you need, the treatment area that you need to work on, and the number of treatment sessions required to achieve your desired results. In the US, the average cost is around $675, ranging from $50 - $2,500.

How Long is Nd:YAG Laser Treatment?

Depending on the size of the treatment area, the entire procedure normally takes about 45 minutes. Redness may be experienced for a few hours to a few days right after the treatment. If you’ve gotten the treatment for skin rejuvenation or for skin lesions, you can see an improvement within 1-2 weeks.

What to Expect After Nd:YAG Laser Treatment?

Apart from the favorable and permanent results of the Nd:YAG laser treatment, you can also expect some side effects after the procedure. Here are some of the things that you may experience after the treatment:

The procedure is somewhat painful, thus topical anesthesia and contact cooling is a must.
There’ll be noticeable redness and itching right after the treatment, which may last for a few hours up to a few days.
Blistering and bruising is common in some patients.
Changes and skin pigmentation can also be noticed.

1-2 weeks after the procedure, you may notice an improvement in the treated area. If you were treated for hyperpigmentation, you might notice your skin becomes lighter one or two weeks after the session.

Our Nd:YAG Laser Results Permanent?

When performed by an experienced medical practitioner, Nd:YAG laser is considered safe. There are a lot of published medical studies that prove that this treatment is effective in permanently reducing hair growth when it comes to hair removal, can genuinely lighten dark pigmentation, and lessen the signs of skin aging.

What Are The Other Names of Nd:YAG laser?

Nd:YAG is actually short for neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet. There are also other names for it, and most of them are brand names of the devices which vary in their uses—Fotona, RevLite Q-Switched, and Cutera.

Nd:YAG Laser Alternatives

Because of its known expensiveness, patients are in search for Nd:YAG alternatives. Not all lasers are the same, although, depending on your aesthetic goals, there are other laser treatments that you can choose from if you want an Nd:YAG alternative.

Nd:YAG Laser Vs. CO2 Laser

Unlike Nd:YAG laser, CO2 laser are known to be ablative, meaning it destroys the skin’s outer layer to allow new collagen production. This is how the treatment gets rid of skin concerns like scars, uneven texture, warts, deep lines, and dark spots. Although it is known to be an effective treatment for the mentioned skin issue, since the procedure requires damaging of the skin, you may be at a higher risk of infections and other complications.

Nd:YAG Laser Vs. Erbium Laser

Erbium laser is a non-ablative treatment, much like the Nd:YAG laser. In fact, this is the best alternative there is to the Nd:YAG. It repairs superficial skin concerns like sun damage, hyperpigmentation, mild scarring, and fine lines. Since they do not damage the skin’s outer layer, both Nd:YAG and Erbium are faster to heal compared to CO2 laser.

Nd:YAG Laser Vs. IPL

Technically, IPL or Intense Pulse Light is not a laser treatment as it uses a broad spectrum of light with multiple wavelengths, but it ultimately yields almost the same result as the Nd:YAG. It is also non-ablative, although it uses the light heat that destroys the area and makes the vein disappear or flake off in cases of dark spots. This process does not damage the outer layer of the skin, making the skin recovery much quicker.

Nd:YAG Laser Vs. Alexandrite Laser

Nd:YAG laser and Alexandrite laser both comes up when the topic is about removal of course hair and darker skin type. Although both is safe for darker skin with the correct use, Nd:YAG is reported to be much safer to patients with ethnic skin, but not too dark. It has a much lower risk of burns and blisters, however, with Alexandrite laser, patients might notice quicker results.

Performing Nd:YAG Laser Treatment

If you are considering Nd:YAG laser treatment for your skin concerns, it is highly recommended that you find a professional that would be able to do it properly. This is to avoid mishaps and unfavorable outcomes. Look for clinics and professionals that are experts on performing this laser treatment.

Who Can Perform Nd:YAG Laser Treatment?

Being considered as the cosmetic treatment, Nd:YAG laser treatment requires an experienced professional to perform the procedure. Most clinics that provide this laser treatment has licensed physicians on board who can do the procedure properly.

How to Use an Nd:YAG Laser Machine?

Before the procedure, the patient should wear eye protection unless the procedure is going to be done for an eye condition. The machine’s hand piece will be pressed onto the skin of the area that needs to be treated. It will then be activated to produce light pulses. While some patients require local or topical anesthesia, others can tolerate the pain brought by the procedure. Based on the type of treatment being done, different levels of light pulses of the Nd:YAG laser machine are controlled.

Nd:YAG Laser Treatment Protocol

There is also a few protocols that need to be done when doing the Nd:YAG laser treatment. Here some guidelines:

Avoid direct sunlight, tanning beds, and tanning lotion for at least 4 weeks before the procedure. Also, make sure that you are using high spectrum sunscreen especially on the treated area.
Avoid plucking or using strong chemicals on the treatment area.
Right before the procedure, you must use an eye cover or goggles to protect your eyes, unless you are treating an eye condition.
Apply a topical or local anesthesia on the treatment area.
After the procedure, you may apply an ice pack to soothe the treated area. In some cases, you will be provided with a bandage to avoid accidental abrasion.

Nd:YAG Laser Treatment Steps

Here are the steps on how the Nd:YAG laser treatment is done:

Wear a special goggle or an opaque covering for eye protection. This must be worn during the entire procedure.
A topical or local anesthesia will be applied to the skin that is about to be treated, though some patients do not deem this as necessary.
While some lasers have their own cooling features, some clinics may apply a skin surface cooling during the procedure.
An ice pack can also be applied right after the procedure.
Patients are advice to keep the treated area from exposure to sunlight to avoid inflammation.

How Long to Wait Between the Nd:YAG Laser Treatments?

Laser treatments are done in multiple sessions in order to see optimal results. The gap between each session depends on the form of treatment, the size and the area of treatment and your skin type. Here are the average waiting times for each session on different treatment areas:

Hair removal – requires at least 2-6 treatments at 4-6 weeks interval
Tattoo removal – requires 5-20 sessions at 7 weeks interval
Onychomycosis – requires at least 4 treatments at 4 weeks interval
Vascular lesions – requires 1-3 sessions but may need more depending on the size of the lesion.

Nd:YAG Laser Treatment Areas

Nd:YAG laser can be done in all parts of skin, depending on the area that needs treatment, and it can also be used in the eyes in some cases.

Nd:YAG Laser Treatment for Vascular Lesions

Vascular lesions include thread and spider veins in the face and legs, birthmarks, varicose veins, facial veins and haemangioma which is a type of vascular tumor—and they can appear in any part of the skin. During the Nd:YAG laser treatment, the laser light targets the red pigment and requires -3 sessions, depending on the size of the lesion.

Nd:YAG Laser Treatment for Pigmented Lesions

Pigmented lesions include freckles and brown age spots, and Nd:YAG laser treatment is done by targeting the melanin of the skin. Patients may also require 1-3 sessions depending on the depth of the concern.

Nd:YAG Laser Treatment for Hair Removal

Nd:YAG laser treatment for hair removal can be done in any part of the skin including the face, neck, underarms, bikini line, chest, back, and legs. Note that this laser treatment works best for patients with darker skin types and coarse hair, and is ineffective for patients with light-colored hair. This treatment requires 2-6 sessions with a 4–6-week interval.

Nd:YAG Laser Treatment for Tattoo Removal

The Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser is best for the tattoos with black, blue and gray inks. Depending on the color and depth of the tattoo that needs to be removed, it might require multiple sessions (5-20) to remove it completely.

Nd:YAG Laser Treatment for Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a nail disorder that needs certain brands of Nd:YAG laser device, as there are brands that have been sanctioned by the FDA particularly for this treatment.

Nd:YAG Laser Machine Maintenance

In order to keep your Nd:YAG laser machine to work properly. Make sure that the cavity ringdown is also in proper working condition. Take note that the incorrect installation parts will result to it malfunctioning and can cause power and timing malfunctions. Continually monitor its performance and make sure that if it does something unusual, no matter how slightly, you should take the time to search for a licensed professional to check on it and fix the issue.

Nd:YAG Laser Consumables

Apart from the Nd:YAG laser machine itself, there are other items that you need to use during your treatment. They might be deemed as miscellaneous items, but it is important that you also have them handy:

Protective eye goggles – laser lights can cause eye damage, and therefore it is imperative for you to wear something that will protect your eyes.
Topical anesthesia – this can come in the form of cream or gel with 1% tetracaine gel which must be applied to the area that needs to be treated 10 minutes before the procedure.
Hair razors – for hair removal treatment, some patients may need to shave the hair in the treatment area so that the laser lights can easily pass through the hair follicles.
Cooling gel or ice pack – to be applied after the treatment to soothe the treated area.

Nd:YAG Laser Training

Individuals who wish to operate on the Nd:YAG laser machines must also undergo training to fully understand the function and the effects of these laser treatments. There are various training courses available in the market that offer an in-depth understanding of the science behind Nd:YAG laser treatment, as well as the skin parameters. This is also to ensure that they can provide the best treatment recommendation to their patients.

Nd:YAG Laser Consent Form

Since Nd:YAG laser treatment is a cosmetic procedure and in some cases, a medical procedure, patients are required to sign a consent form. This is to ensure that they are fully aware of the pros and cons of the laser treatment, and that they understand that the procedure can lead to severe side-effects if they fail to follow the after-care protocol.

Benefits of Nd:YAG Laser Machine for Your Spa Business

Having an Nd:YAG laser machine in your spa business offers tons of benefits and advantages. Here are some of them:

Nd:YAG laser machine can perform treatments for multiple skin concerns which provides you with a wide array of patients.
The use of Nd:YAG machine needs a trained professional to perform the procedure. This puts your clients under the impression that your spa business is run and operated by trained and capable professionals.
Nd:YAG laser treatment is best for patients with darker skin types, and this is the best way to promote diversity in your services.

Treatments You Can Perform with the Nd:YAG Laser Machine

Here are the concerns that can be addressed with the Nd:YAG laser machine. Keep in mind, however, that these procedures are done by trained professionals:

Hemangiomas
Skin wrinkles and fine lines
Acne scarring
Tattoo removal
Vascular lesions
Hair removal
Birthmarks
Age spots and freckles

Instagram Hashtags for Nd:YAG Laser Procedure

If you are promoting your spa business particularly your Nd:YAG laser services, here are some of the hashtags you can use in Instagram:

#facial #botox #esthetician #laser #lipfiller #facials #filler #waxing #fillers #microneedling #treatment #medspa #bodycontouring #dermaplaning #bodysculpting #facialtreatment #dermalfillers #bbl #juvederm #hydrafacial #clinic #hairremoval #injectables #dermapen #esthetics #antiwrinkle #prp #skintightening #skintreatment #cosmeticsurgery