Why are there so many different lasers?

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

Which laser is the right one for my concern?

That depends on the skin change, on its depth, colour and extent. We assess which system is suitable during an examination in person.

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.

Laser types & systems

The laser and light systems we use in the practice: vascular and pigment lasers, ablative lasers and specialised procedures such as photodynamic therapy.

Overview

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

There is no universal laser that covers every application. We therefore keep various laser, light and radiofrequency systems available and choose the suitable procedure for each question. The overview below sorts the systems by their main field of application.

Topics in this section

LightSheer® diode laserA diode laser with a cooled handpiece and a small laser spot. We use it for hair removal on small areas such as the upper lip, chin and cheeks, and where sensitivity to pain is pronounced.Learn more →Vectus® diode laserA diode laser with integrated contact cooling, a large laser spot and melanin measurement in the treatment area. We use it for hair removal on large areas such as the back, legs and bikini area.Learn more →Erbium:YAG laserAn ablative laser that removes skin in very thin layers without releasing much heat into the depth. We use it for benign raised moles, seborrhoeic keratoses and actinic keratoses.Learn more →Excimer laserA pulsed UV laser at 308 nm that irradiates only the affected areas of skin and spares the healthy skin. We use it above all for psoriasis and vitiligo.Learn more →Pulsed dye laserA pulsed laser at 595 nm whose light is absorbed by the red blood pigment. We use it for dilated capillaries, couperose and rosacea, port-wine stains, haemangiomas and spider veins.Learn more →Fractional CO₂ laserAn ablative laser at 10,600 nm that removes the skin in a grid of tiny zones and stimulates new collagen formation. In our practice it is part of the Alma Hybrid, which combines the CO₂ wavelength with a non-ablative 1570 nm laser.Learn more →IPL/RF (intense pulsed light and radiofrequency)Intense pulsed light (IPL) from a xenon flash lamp, used for areas of redness and for pigment and age spots; the further applications are listed below. We explain the principle of the combination with radiofrequency current (RF) for fine hairs, areas of redness and wrinkles; whether this combination continues to be offered with our current system is something we clarify with you.Learn more →KTP laser (532 nm)The KTP laser works with light of 532 nm wavelength, which is absorbed by the red blood pigment. We use it for vascular changes: dilated small vessels on the face, spider naevi, haemangiomas, port-wine stains and spider veins following sclerotherapy.Learn more →Long-pulse Nd:YAG laserThe long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser penetrates deep into the skin. We use it for reticular veins and spider veins, for dilated small vessels, for hair removal including darker skin types, and for nail fungus.Learn more →Nail fungus (onychomycosis)We treat nail fungus with a combined approach: laser, topical and, where needed, systemic therapy as well as podiatric nail care.Learn more →Photodynamic therapy (PDT)In photodynamic therapy, a light-activatable active substance makes diseased skin cells sensitive to red light; the subsequent illumination damages these cells. The method is used for actinic keratoses and other superficial forms and precursors of non-melanoma skin cancer.Learn more →PicoStar® Pico laserThe picosecond laser delivers ultra-short light pulses and breaks down pigment predominantly through a pressure wave rather than heat. We use it for benign pigment spots and in tattoo removal.Learn more →Q-switched Nd:YAG laserThe Q-switched Nd:YAG laser works with either 532 or 1064 nm and is used to remove tattoos. Which wavelength is used depends on the colour of the pigments.Learn more →INFINI™ RF microneedlingIn radiofrequency microneedling, fine needles deliver heat energy in the depth of the skin and stimulate new collagen formation there, while the skin surface is largely spared. We use the INFINI system for acne scars, loss of skin firmness and excessive sweating.Learn more →Rubystar® ruby laserThe Q-switched ruby laser with a wavelength of 694 nanometres is strongly absorbed by melanin and dark colour pigments. We use it for benign pigment spots and certain tattoo colours, in each case after dermatological assessment.Learn more →wIRA therapy for wartsStubborn warts on the hands and feet can be treated with water-filtered infrared A light (wIRA). Apart from a mild sensation of warmth the irradiation is painless, which makes it suitable for children as well.Learn more →

Risks & notes

Depending on the method, any laser treatment can cause temporary reactions such as redness, swelling, crusting or altered pigmentation.
Depending on the method, further risks are possible: lasting pigment shifts (above all in darker or tanned skin types), scars (in particular with ablative lasers), infections, and in tattoo removal a colour change of the ink or, very rarely, allergic reactions to released pigments. UV protection matters before and after a laser treatment.
Which system is suitable for you, and which risks apply in your case, 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 absorbed by the red blood pigment (selective photothermolysis); it treats vascular changes and spares the surrounding tissue as far as possible.
KTP laser (532 nm) – the wavelength matches the absorption behaviour of oxyhaemoglobin and suits 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

Picosecond laser (PicoStar®, Asclepion) – works with ultra-short pulses and acts mainly photoacoustically, through a pressure wave rather than heat; for pigment changes and tattoos.
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 for 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 combined 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, on blood vessels, pigment or water, for example. There is no universal laser; we choose the appropriate system for each indication.
Which laser is the right one for my concern?: That depends on the skin change, on its depth, colour and extent. We assess which system is suitable during an examination in person.
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.