Q-switching, sometimes known as giant pulse formation or Q-spoiling is a technique by which a laser can be made to produce a pulsed output beam.
The technique allows the production of light pulses with extremely high (gigawatt) peak power, much higher than would be produced by the same laser if it were operating in a continuous wave (constant output) mode.
What is Nd:YAG laser?
Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) is a crystal that is used as a laser medium for solid-state lasers.
In Q-switched mode, Nd:YAG produces 2 wavelengths, one in the infrared range (1064 nm) and a second beam of 532 nm wavelength which is useful for superficial skin lesions and pigmentation. Q-switching refers to the technique of making the laser produce a high intensity beam in very short pulses
Pigmented lesions
Nd:YAG laser can be used to remove brown age spots (solar lentigines), freckles, naevus of Ota, naevus of Ito, mongolian spots, Hori naevus and café-au-lait-macules.
Hair removal
Nd:YAG laser may be used for hair removal in any location including underarms, bikini line, face, neck, back, chest and legs.
Tatoo removal
Blue, grey and black tattoos can be removed with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm wavelength).
NONABLATIVE SKIN RESURFACING FOR WRINKLES AND ACNE SCARS
Q-switched NdYAG laser 1064 nm offers a new technology that helps treat scars and wrinkles at their root, deep in the skin.
Dark Lips
Dark lips are a common cosmetic concern in India. Two to four sessions of Q-switched 532 nm is an effective treatment for lip lightening.
How does Nd:YAG laser works?
Lasers work by emitting a wavelength of high energy light, which when focused on a certain skin condition will create heat and destroy diseased cells.
Uses of Nd:YAG Laser
The FDA has approved a range of Nd:YAG laser machines for various skin disorders.
Vascular lesions
-
ND:YAG can be used to remove spider and thread veins in the face (cheek, temporal region, nasal dorsum, forehead) and legs.
-
Some vascular birthmarks (capillary vascular malformations)
-
Varicose veins in the leg
-
Facial veins (telangiectasis)
-
Haemangiomas (vascular tumours) in the face and around the mouth
Are there any side effects from Nd:YAG laser treatment?
-
Pain during treatment (reduced by contact cooling and if necessary, topical anaesthetic)
-
Redness, swelling and itching immediately after the procedure that may last a few days after treatment
-
Rarely, skin pigment may absorb too much light energy and blistering can occur (this settles by itself)
Changes in skin pigmentation. Sometimes the pigment cells (melanocytes) can be damaged, leaving darker (hyperpigmentation) or paler (hypopigmentation) patches of skin.
Click here to get appointment from skin care specialists at Nepal Skin Care centre- Best Skin Hospital in Nepal