Understanding the Servicing Needs of Your Laser or Light-Based Device

Laser and light-based devices, such as IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound), Q-Switch lasers, Nd:YAG, and DPL (Dynamic Pulse Light), are sophisticated tools used in aesthetic and medical treatments. To maintain their performance, safety, and longevity, regular servicing is essential. Many operators may not realise the full scope of what servicing entails, assuming basic cleaning is sufficient. This guide explains the key components of proper servicing, including energy calibration, safety testing, internal cleaning, pipe checks, water changes, and filter maintenance, to help you understand why it matters.

The Importance of Regular Servicing

Like any precision equipment, laser devices require routine maintenance to operate effectively. Servicing every 6-12 months, depending on usage, ensures consistent treatment results, prevents breakdowns, and enhances safety for both operators and clients. Neglecting maintenance can lead to reduced performance, costly repairs, or safety risks.

Energy Calibration and Power Testing

Energy calibration is a critical process that ensures a device’s output aligns with manufacturer specifications. Over time, components like lamps, crystals, or diodes wear down, causing energy drift. Calibration uses specialised equipment to adjust output, ensuring treatments are neither too weak (reducing efficacy) nor too strong (risking harm).

Power testing complements calibration by verifying electrical output and stability. This step detects fluctuations that could affect treatment consistency. Without regular calibration and testing, a device like an IPL or Nd:YAG may underperform, leading to suboptimal results or client dissatisfaction.

Safety Testing for Compliance and Protection

Safety testing is vital to protect users and clients. This includes electrical safety checks to prevent shocks, earthing verification, and laser hazard assessments. For devices like Q-Switch or HIFU, interlocks, emergency stops, and eye protection compatibility are tested to meet standards like AS/NZS 4173 for safe laser use in healthcare settings.

In some regions, professional calibration and safety testing are required to comply with health licensing regulations. Failing to meet these standards could result in not passing health inspections, potentially halting operations. Regular safety testing ensures compliance and minimises risks.

Internal Cleaning and Pipe Checks

Dust, debris, and residue accumulate inside devices, particularly in high-use environments. Internal cleaning involves disassembling components to clean optics, mirrors, and handpieces, preventing hotspots or reduced efficiency. For water-cooled systems, common in IPL and Nd:YAG devices, pipe checks are crucial. Hoses and connections are inspected for leaks, cracks, or blockages that could cause overheating or system failures if ignored.

Water Changes: The Truth About Coolant

Cooling systems in laser devices require regular water changes, despite claims of “lifelong coolant.” No cooling system is completely sealed; contaminants like minerals, algae, or bacteria enter over time, degrading coolant and risking corrosion or clogs. Servicing should include draining, flushing, and refilling the system with pure distilled water every 3 months, or more often with heavy use.

Importantly, 99% of lasers use pure distilled water as coolant. Coloured coolants or additives, often marketed as superior, can accelerate corrosion in some systems and clog filters faster, reducing efficiency. Air ingress is also inevitable due to microscopic gaps, leading to bubbles that disrupt cooling. Regular water changes with distilled water are the best way to maintain system health.

Changing Filters: An Overlooked Necessity

Most laser devices have internal micron filters in their cooling systems to trap debris. Over time, these filters become clogged, rendering water changes ineffective as dirty fluid recirculates. Changing the water without replacing or cleaning the filter is like changing car oil without replacing the oil filter—it’s incomplete. Regular filter maintenance during servicing ensures optimal coolant flow and system performance.

Why It All Matters

Proper servicing—covering calibration, safety testing, cleaning, pipe checks, water changes, and filter maintenance—is essential for the safety, efficacy, and longevity of laser and light-based devices. We provide these comprehensive services for all our customers, ensuring their equipment operates at peak performance.

For more information or to schedule a service, visit www.zenithlaser.co.nz.