Laser types & systems

Overview

The word LASER stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”. The light produced is defined by its wavelength and energy density. How it acts depends on the structure it meets – in the skin, for example, on colour pigments, the red blood pigment (haemoglobin) or the water content. The respective laser medium determines the wavelength and thereby the therapeutic field of application.

There is no universal laser that covers every application. We therefore keep a range of laser, light and radiofrequency systems available and select the suitable procedure for each question. The following overview presents the systems according to their main field of application.

Risks & notes

• Depending on the procedure, any laser treatment can cause temporary reactions such as redness, swelling, crusting or altered pigmentation.
• Depending on the procedure, further risks are possible: lasting pigment shifts (especially in darker or tanned skin types), scars (in particular with ablative lasers), infections, as well as – in tattoo removal – a colour change of the ink or, very rarely, allergic reactions to released pigments. UV protection is important before and after a laser treatment.
• Which system is suitable for you and which risks apply in the individual case is something we clarify with you in person before the treatment.

Vascular laser and light systems

For treating dilated small vessels, redness and vascular marks (e.g. couperose/rosacea, port-wine stains, haemangiomas, spider veins):

• Dye laser (595 nm) – a pulsed laser whose light is selectively absorbed by the red blood pigment (selective photothermolysis); treats vascular changes as gently to the tissue as possible.
• KTP laser (532 nm) – the wavelength matches the absorption behaviour of oxyhaemoglobin and is suitable for superficial vessels and telangiectasias.
• Long-pulse Nd:YAG laser – a long-pulsed laser with high penetration depth, used among other things for deeper vessels, spider veins and redness.
• IPL/RF – a combination of high-energy flash light and radiofrequency, used among other things for areas of redness.

Ablative lasers for skin removal and renewal

• Fractional CO₂ laser (10,600 nm) – an ablative laser that treats the skin in a grid pattern and stimulates new collagen formation; used among other things for actinic keratoses, scars and wrinkles.
• Erbium:YAG laser – an ablative laser for comparatively gentle skin removal, e.g. for seborrhoeic keratoses, benign skin changes and actinic keratoses.

Lasers for pigment and tattoo removal

• Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 / 1064 nm) – breaks up colour pigments, which the body then removes; used among other things for tattoo removal.
• Ruby laser (694 nm) – for pigment changes (e.g. age spots) and certain tattoo colours.

Lasers for permanent hair removal

Aesthetic hair removal is described in detail in our aesthetics section:

• LightSheer® diode laser – with a cooled handpiece, particularly suited to smaller areas.
• Vectus® diode laser – with integrated cooling, suitable for larger areas.

Light and specialised procedures

• Excimer laser (308 nm) – targeted UV treatment of affected areas, used among other things for psoriasis, vitiligo and atopic dermatitis.
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) – light-activated treatment of precancerous skin lesions such as actinic keratoses.
• Nail fungus laser (Nd:YAG) – laser treatment for nail fungus, usually in combination with further therapy.
• wIRA® therapy – water-filtered infrared-A light, used among other things for persistent warts.
• RF microneedling – radiofrequency delivered through fine needles for skin tightening and for scars (aesthetic application).

Frequently asked questions

Why are there so many different lasers?

Because each wavelength acts on a particular target structure in the skin – such as blood vessels, pigment or water. There is no universal laser; we select the appropriate system for each indication.

Which laser is the right one for my concern?

That depends on the skin change, its depth, colour and extent. Which system is suitable is something we assess during an in-person examination.

Where can I find the aesthetic laser applications?

Cosmetic applications such as permanent hair removal, tattoo and pigment removal or wrinkle treatment are described in detail in the aesthetics section of our website.