Simulation of the thermal effect of laser irradiation to optimize laser epilation

Detlef Russ; Alwin Kienle; Werner Falkenstein; Rudolf W. Steiner

doi:10.1117/12.409324

16 November 2000 Simulation of the thermal effect of laser irradiation to optimize laser epilation

Detlef Russ, Alwin Kienle, Werner Falkenstein, Rudolf W. Steiner

Proceedings Volume 4161, Optical Biopsy and Tissue Optics; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.409324
Event: EOS/SPIE European Biomedical Optics Week, 2000, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

For hair removal commonly lasers are used with wavelengths being selectively absorbed by melanin .As a consequence, laser radiation leads to an increase of the temperature not only in melanin containing structures of the hair but also in the epidermis. Therefore, we simulated and studied the laser induced temperature development in tissue for various laser wavelengths and various pulse profiles. Modifying the beam parameters can improve the selectivity of the method. Monte- Carlo-Simulations were used to calculate light absorption in dermal structures, considering the tissue specific optical properties. The thermal diffusion in tissue was calculated by a finite difference method. The biological reaction due to the temperature rise was determined by an Arrhenius formalism and depends on temperature and time of laser-tissue interaction. The simulation program allows to calculate the temperature distribution and thermal damage for various temporal pulse profiles, fluence rates and irradiation geometries. Superficial cooling has an important influence and has been considered in the calculations. The results of our simulations for various laser types show differences in the thermal reaction which can be used to optimize the treatment modalities. The potential and limits of laser epilation can be estimated from these results. For example, a series of laser pulses has some advantages compared to a longer single pulse.

Citation Download Citation

Detlef Russ, Alwin Kienle, Werner Falkenstein, and Rudolf W. Steiner "Simulation of the thermal effect of laser irradiation to optimize laser epilation", Proc. SPIE 4161, Optical Biopsy and Tissue Optics, (16 November 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.409324

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