Diffused vs. Undiffused diodes: Are diffused diodes more effective? …That’s not really the point.

By OverMachoGrande
Jul 09, 2008

I thought I’d better address this since it get’s an occasional question.  People wonder why I chose to use diffused diodes vs. undiffused diodes, and if I think the “scatter” under the skin of undiffused laser energy is as effective as the “blanket effect” of undiffused diodes (please see “A quick note on diodes and power” for an explanation if you don’t know what I’m talking about).

Well, the surprising answer is that those two things don’t have anything to do with each other as far as my consideration for choosing diffused vs. undiffused!  Let’s start with some background here so you can know exactly what I know...

First, let’s look at this graphic, which is a basic interpretation of laser scatter under the surface of the skin.

Undiffused lasers have a thin, tightly focused beam of energy.  Yes, it’s energy scatters under the skin in an elliptical “U” shape.  I’ve heard reports that say it can spread energy and positively benefit an area as large as a 1/2 inch radius surrounding the impact point.  I don’t know how accurate that is -it could be far greater or far less for all I know- but we do know for a fact that it does at least positively stimulate surrounding tissue.

Diffused lasers have more of a “blanket” over the surface.  The energy is less concentrated, but it does penetrate as deeply, and it does cover much more surface area.

Ok… which is more effective??  Here’s my answer: I’d assume that diffused lasers are, but that’s NOT why I chose to use diffused diodes!  I could speculate that diffused diodes are better because I think the “blanketing effect” is a more reliable way to get an even amount of energy to your treatment areas than scattering under the surface, but that’s just a speculation and I don’t know for sure!  But again, theorized effectiveness is NOT why I chose diffused diodes! Let me explain…

Most clinical laser device either use undiffused diodes or “unfocused” diodes (not quite as spread out as undiffused).  Also, they *all* are perched on a stand of some sort ABOVE your head.  When you are getting the treatment, your head moves around a little… up, down, left, right, forwards, backwards, etc.  Well, that means that the tightly focused laser beams are dancing around your head a little, and never in one exact spot for two long.

What happens if you put an undiffused laser diode in a helmet?  THAT’S RIGHT!  When you bob your head up and down, and move it sideways, forwards and backwards… the lasers MOVE WITH YOU.  They are still focused on that one spot.  Thirty minutes of an intense beam in one exact spot is going to be way too much energy, no matter how much it scatters under the surface!  Therefore, since the lasers are going to be mounted in a fixed spot over your head, I personally think it becomes a NECESSITY to diffuse them.

By the way, I’m going to take this opportunity to say that yes… I *do* feel that helmets with diffused diodes are going to be more effective.  That’s my educated opinion -and I could be wrong- but that’s what I think based on everything I’ve seen and I know.  So why don’t they mass market HELMETS?  Why don’t the use helmets in clinics??  Simple… it’s a very customized thing to get a helmet to both fit properly and cover the necessary treatment areas!  Plus, would you want to put on the same helmet that some other bald guy just wore for half an hour, sweated in, and just took off five minutes ago??  I didn’t think so…

-O.M.G.