Top 5 myths about compact Chinese Nd:YAG lasers
Myths about compact Chinese Nd:YAG lasers: “2,000 mJ” energy, wattage claims, a 755 nm tip, 10-million-shot lamps and free training, and the facts.
This article was sponsored by laser sellers and their rich imagination ;)
Sometimes I can hardly keep from laughing when I read descriptions of laser devices. It turns out that an ordinary compact Nd:YAG laser has a 755 nm wavelength, a magic vessel-removal function, and so on.
Let's go through the most popular myths about compact Chinese lasers! Here we go!
Myth 1: Inflated laser energy
This is the main myth that has taken root in the market of compact Nd:YAG lasers for PMU (permanent makeup) and tattoo removal. I'm sure you have seen loud headlines more than once: "Laser energy 1,000 mJ / 1,600 mJ / 2,000 mJ!"
Beginner artists think this is an important point when choosing a device: the more millijoules in the description, the better! So it will remove PMU faster and better.
Now the truth: a compact laser may deliver 2,000 mJ of energy, but its effectiveness hardly depends on this figure at all.
Manufacturers a.k.a. Made in China can write as many millijoules as they like in the device menu, but you don't need them!
A compact laser does not deliver all its energy in a single pulse; it splits it into several pulses. During laser exposure, only the first pulse is effective. So you don't even need to look at the energy figure!
Myth 2: Device power that means nothing in practice
Laser ads very often feature the phrase "Our laser is the most powerful. 1,600 watts of power: up to 8 hours of continuous operation!"
A laser's power rating shows how much energy it consumes. It has nothing to do with how many hours the device can run continuously.
Don't worry about how much electricity it will use! It does not affect the quality of the laser's work or the effectiveness of PMU and tattoo removal.
Even if power were a meaningful laser specification, you still would not be able to use it continuously for several hours! There are issues with the crystal overheating, which you should not allow.
It all comes down to peak power
The energy stays the same — change the pulse duration.
Peak power = energy ÷ pulse duration. That is why the millijoules on the display say nothing about effectiveness on their own.
Myth 3: A 755 nanometre tip in a compact laser
I often see this tip in device descriptions, supposedly removing all pigment colours. Sure, even yellow, green and light blue!
This marketing ploy about a "magic tip" wins over many artists, but remember: sellers just want to profit from your lack of knowledge!
A 755 nm tip does not exist for compact Nd:YAG lasers. Only two wavelengths are available to you: 532 nm and 1064 nm!
Myth 4: An English or American lamp rated for 10 million shots
Such lamps really do exist, but they have nothing to do with compact lasers!
The average lamp life of compact Nd:YAG devices is 1 million shots.
The longest lamp life I have seen in this type of equipment is 2–2.5 million shots, and only with very careful use.
Myth 5: Free training included!
Remember: nobody is going to train you for free. The price of the "training" is already included in the cost of the device.
This bonus has no value! At least not if you want to understand the essence of laser removal rather than just pressing the on/off buttons.
Teaching someone to remove pigment safely and well takes far more time than a two-hour video. It takes months!
Besides, you have no guarantee that the instruction is given by a qualified laser removal specialist! Sellers certainly do not have that expertise.
Please don't rely on free training! You will only get superficial knowledge and zero practical benefit, because you get what you pay for.
Tap a card to see the truth.
Frequently asked questions
Is the free training that comes with a laser machine enough?
No. Nobody trains you for free: the price of the training is already included in the cost of the device. Learning to remove pigment safely and well takes months, not a two-hour video, and sellers do not have laser removal expertise.
Does 2,000 mJ make a compact laser better for tattoo removal?
No. A compact laser does not deliver all its energy in a single pulse but splits it into several pulses, and only the first one is effective, so its effectiveness hardly depends on the millijoule figure.
Does a 755 nm tip exist for compact Nd:YAG lasers?
No. A compact Nd:YAG laser has only two wavelengths: 532 nm and 1064 nm.
How long does the lamp of a compact Nd:YAG laser last?
On average about 1 million shots; the longest seen in this type of equipment is 2–2.5 million shots, and only with very careful use. Lamps rated for 10 million shots exist, but they have nothing to do with compact lasers.
