Harry
I have not come across anyone wearing masks but most of the clinics
locally use some form
of smoke/fume evacuation close to the treatment site. This certainly
reduce the smell from burning stubble!
Unlike most of the body hair comprises mainly proteins [85-91% source
Duck:1990 Physical Properties of tissue] ,a few
percent lipids and not a lot of water.
Reported gases are carbon dioxide, nitrogen based compounds such as
ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, nitrous oxide, some
hydrogen sulphides and phosphates.
I do not have any reputable handle on the relative amounts of these
gases.
Hope this is useful
Bill
>>> [log in to unmask] 12/03/02 05:08pm >>>
Dear all
An issue has arisen regarding the need for the operator to wear
masks during laser hair removal. The concern was with respect to
hydrocarbons created in burning hair, and there may be other
agents that practioners need protection against. Does anyone have
any data that might inform this discussion? While I have no
objection to anyone wearing a mask who wants to, this should only
be a requirement if there is good reason to support this.
Regards
Harry
Dr Harry Moseley
Consultant Medical Physicist
The Photobiology Unit
University of Dundee
Ninewells Hospital & Medical School
Dundee DD1 9SY
United Kingdom
Tel. (0)1382 632240
Fax. (0)1382 646047
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