Starlux 500 - is this a Laser??

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

I had a consultation for hair removal. The clinic told me that they use lasers and not IPL. I asked what type of laser so I could do some reseach and they said Starlux 500. After searching for it on this forum it appears to be a IPL machine not laser. I also asked how this Starlux 500 compares to the Alexandrite laser - she said its the same but can penetrate the skin deeper (she told me the nm but i dont remember). Is any of this true? Their website and company name only refer to Lasers - quote “The power output and delivery system of our Medical Grade Lasers supersedes outdated IPL”

From research I have found that this starlux500 is both IPL and Laser…would they be refering to the laser of the machine and not the IPL in my consulation? Is the laser component any good compared to the Alexandrite?

This is their website http://www.advancedlaser.net.au/hair-removal

#2

It’s a Palomar machine and I believe it’s a combo diode and IPL. They don’t make alexandrites. Though on the site, they just say “laser” over and over and never mention the type of laser, which is suspicious.

It’s not as good as alex no matter what they say.

Where are you located?

#3

I am from Brisbane, Australia.

Their website also says they have the best ‘laser’ in Brisbane. I know for a fact there are other clinics in Brisbane that have the Alex lasers. What are the main benefits with the Alex over this starlux?

I would like to have some back up when I call again to question their laser…

Also LAgirl - did you notice their FAQ…Its almost a direct copy of your FAQ

#4

Everyone says they have the best laser. That’s just marketing. I don’t think there is a point of arguing with them. They’re not going to tell you that others have better machines.

Our FAQs explain the benefits of the Alex laser. It’s the most powerful machine and thus most effective on the skin types that it doesn’t burn (i.e. pale).

I didn’t look at the FAQs before, but now that I have, I should contact them. Since they copied what I wrote exactly. Wow.

#5

Thanks. I think I’ll call them just to confirm the type of ‘laser’ again. If it isnt the Alex I think I will go elsewhere.

Regarding treatment frequency many clinics have different views. Your FAQ talks about 12 weeks, other clinics say 6-8 and this one above says 5weeks. They say the earlier to get to it the better as the hair doesnt have time to ‘recover’… To me is all sounds like they want to squeeze as many treatments in as possible.

I had a test patch and after 5-6 weeks I had regrowth. it was fine a few. It has been about 12 weeks now and these hairs are now course and as many as before. Is this what I should wait for before treatments? The laser for the test was the Alex laser but i dont know the setting or size.

#6

OK - I have called the clinic and they confirmed that its IPL. They said that IPL falls under the banner laser and thats why they use the name…

They ‘assurred’ me that their machine is as good as laser saying that it pentrates further into the skin than the alex laser.

I have read your FAQ regarding IPL and laser but cant really find any technical info regarding the benefits of laser. If this IPL machine has better depth and power output (40jules she said)and wave length for example then is one better than the other?

I am finding it difficult to research as each Clinic is stating that thier machine is the best…Its hard to filter through the sales pitches…

#7

Here’s the part of the FAQs I was referring to:

"Lasers designed for permanent hair reduction emit wavelengths of light designed to be absorbed by the pigment in the hair (melanin). If the surrounding skin is relatively light compared to the color of the hair, then the entire energy of the laser will be concentrated in the hair shaft, effectively destroying it without affecting the skin or follicle. Hair removal lasers target the dark pigment in the hair. That’s why laser hair removal works best on light skin and dark coarse (most pigment) hair.

The ability of the laser to produce a very narrow bandwidth on a consistent basis is the key to a safe efficient treatment. The types of lasers used for permanent hair reduction include ruby (old machines, not recommended), alexandrite (for very light skin type I-III), diode (for types I-IV), Nd:YAG (type IV and darker).

While the laser emits a beam that only heats the hair shaft, heat is transmitted from the hair shaft to the surrounding tissue for several milliseconds after the laser pulse. Several lasers possess cooling attachments which cool the surrounding skin to fully absorb any heat transmitted from the destroyed hair shafts.

Be cautious of hair removal systems that use traditional light for treatment (Intense Pulse Light machines or IPLs). Most light-based applications are not true lasers. These machines use a highly concentrated beam of traditional incoherent light, often in conjunction with a cream or gel, to burn the hair shaft. A serious flaw with these systems is that they lack the laser’s ability to produce a selective bandwidth of light that will only affect the hair shaft (selective photothermolysis). These devices produce a wide bandwidth of light that can heat up all of the surrounding tissue, making it less effective in killing hair and putting the patient at a higher risk for burns, especially on darker skin. IPLs are generally cheaper than true laser devices and are used for various skin procedures first and foremost, with hair removal as an add-on feature. As a rule, true hair removal lasers (i.e. alexandrite, diode, and ND:Yag types) usually achieve better and faster hair removal results."

Timing should be 8-12 weeks. But really, you don’t need to ask anyone for timing. You go in again when you have enough of hair from the next hair cycle showing after shedding completes. This usually happens at 8-12 weeks for most areas due to hair cycles. Facial hair may need 6 week treatments at first for some because that area has shorter hair cycles than other areas. Coming in very early basically means you’re treating hair that’s still too finer or isn’t showing yet at all. Obviously, this is in the clinic’s best interests to get the most treatments out of you, but not in yours.

It’s not that hard to find clinics with good lasers. Simply call and ask for the name of the machine. The two most popular alex lasers are GentleLASE and Apogee. We have a sticky with a list of most laser model names.

#8

Reading the above paragraph there are mis-statements being made that show a lack of knowledge or a bias toward laser.

A high end IPL device such as the Starlux 500 provide a handpeice that emits a primary wave length of 650nm in the ruby spectrum. While it is true it is non coherent the photon recycling and spectrun shifting give the light focus completely different from true non coherent light.

Ultimately the statement that IPL burns the hair is completely inaccurate as well as saying it is not selective photothermolysis because it is. The energy emitted from the Starlux Rs is selectively absorbed by the pigment in the hair, the energy converts from light to heat and the heat damages the follicle ultimately preventing it from regrowing hair.

I have been working in this field for almost 13 years and owned my own company for 11 years. I have worked and/or tested multiple IPL’s as well as Lasers and could not tell you across the board that laser is better than IPL. I have seen cases where laser has worked better for a specific patient but I have also seen IPL work better over laser so I would like to know how you can definitively quantify that Laser is superior to IPL. Keep in mind I own both.

Thank you

#9

The Starlux 500 does have a 1064 YAG for hair removal that is a laser and would penetrate deeper than an Alexandrite. However if they we’re using the Rs or R or Y handpiece these are IPL.

#10

After 13 years of performing laser treatment, owning and operating both IPL and laser for hair removal I can tell you that the critical factor is by far the expertise of the operator. In short if you have a very knowledgeable technician you will do fine with either IPL or laser.

#11

Just out of curiosity, which lasers do you own?

Of course technician/clinician skill plays a paramount role in affecting the efficacy of a treatment. I don’t think LAGirl or whoever wrote that was trying to imply otherwise.

I have found that IPL can achieve decent hair reduction, but has a higher incidence of causing postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and paradoxical growth. This has also been confirmed in some clinical studies.

I think the main issue with IPL is that, unlike the LHR lasers on the market (especially alexandrite), there is a HUGE discrepancy between the numerous devices in terms of quality, output, safety, cost, etc. There are tons of cheaper lower-end IPL devices available that usually end up in inexperienced hands at some beauty parlor. Unfortunately, the average consumer doesn’t know X from Y, and given the plethora of these devices on the market, many end up with poor results or getting hurt.