Long pulsed lasers are systems that deliver a longer pulse of light (30 to 50 milliseconds) than other lasers.
The long pulse laser has been utilized for hair removal, vascular lesions, pigmented lesions, and other conditions because melanin and hemoglobin in the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and skin appendages can specifically absorb this type of laser.
Generally speaking, for larger areas, longer pulse durations are required for adequate heating of the targeted tissue, while shorter pulse durations will deliver the same effect to smaller treatment areas. Pulse duration is also a key measurement for providers treating patients with a wider range of skin tones.
An Nd:YAG laser is a solid state laser capable of producing a near-infrared wavelength that penetrates deep into the skin and is readily absorbed by hemoglobin and melanin chromophores. The lasing medium of Nd:YAG (Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) is a man-made crystal (solid state) that is pumped by a high intensity lamp and placed into a resonator (a cavity capable of amplifying the power of the laser). By creating a variable long pulse duration and an appropriate spot size, it is possible to significantly heat deep skin tissues, such as large blood vessels and vascular lesions.