Wavelength, explained simply
Every laser produces light of a single wavelength, measured in nanometres (nm). The wavelength decides which parts of the body absorb the energy. Some wavelengths are absorbed mostly by pigment, which is why they are used for hair removal or pigmentation. Others are absorbed by blood, which suits thread veins. A 1470 nm laser sits in the infrared range, which you cannot see, and it is strongly absorbed by water and fat.
Lasers are not stronger or weaker simply because of their wavelength. The number tells you where the energy is absorbed, not how much energy is delivered. Power, pulse settings and how long the light is applied to each area are separate controls set by the doctor.
That matters because the tissue just beneath the skin is rich in both. When the energy is delivered there, it heats a small, controlled zone without needing to pass through the surface of the skin first.
How Endolift uses 1470 nm
Genuine Endolift uses the LASEmaR 1500 laser made by Eufoton, set at 1470 nm. The light travels down an optical fibre between 200 and 600 microns wide, about the thickness of a hair or a little more. The doctor places this fibre beneath the skin through a tiny entry point under local anaesthetic, with no incisions or stitches.
The energy has 3 main effects in the tissue:
- Contraction of the fibrous septa. These are the bands of connective tissue linking skin to deeper layers. Heating makes them shorten, which gives some immediate tightening.
- Liquefying small fat deposits. Because fat absorbs this wavelength well, small pockets can be reduced. This is not a method for removing large volumes of fat.
- Collagen remodelling. The controlled heat starts a healing response in which weaker Type III collagen is replaced by stronger Type I collagen. This is why results improve for around 6 months.
The article on collagen after Endolift explains the third effect in detail.
Why not another wavelength?
Other wavelengths have been used under the skin, such as lasers designed mainly for fat. The appeal of 1470 nm is its strong absorption by both water and fat. In practical terms, that means energy is taken up close to the tip of the fibre, which helps keep the heated zone small and predictable. It is the same broad reason this wavelength has been used in other medical fields, such as treating varicose veins from the inside.
| Feature | 1470 nm under the skin | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Absorbed by | Water and fat, strongly | Energy is taken up near the fibre tip |
| Delivery | Fibre placed beneath the skin | The surface is not resurfaced or peeled |
| Main effects | Septal contraction, small fat reduction, collagen remodelling | Tightening now, with improvement over months |
| Best suited to | Mild to moderate laxity and small fat pockets | Not for heavy, hanging skin or lost volume |
The wavelength is only part of the story
Different devices can both say 1470 nm and still behave differently. Power output, pulse settings, fibre quality and the precision of the controls all affect how energy is delivered. Above all, the skill of the person moving the fibre matters. Placing the fibre at the right depth, keeping it moving, and judging how much energy each area needs are what separate a careful treatment from a risky treatment.
This is also why cheaper copy devices are a concern. Budget "Endolaser" offers from about £700 to £1,000 sometimes use unbranded machines. The wavelength on the label may match, but you cannot easily know how the rest of the device performs or whether fibres are new. Genuine Endolift uses original single use fibres. The comparison of Endolift and copy devices and our genuine Endolift page explain how to check.
It also helps to know what the wavelength cannot do. A 1470 nm laser cannot replace lost volume, cannot lift heavy, hanging skin the way surgery can, and cannot remove large amounts of fat. For those concerns, a different treatment will usually give a better result.
What it means for safety
Any laser that heats tissue under the skin carries some risk. Expected effects include swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness, temporary numbness and temporary firmness or lumps where fat was treated. Most settle within days, though numbness and firmness can take 1 to 2 weeks or longer. Rarer risks include burns, skin irregularity, infection, scarring at entry points and temporary nerve weakness, such as of the marginal mandibular nerve, which can affect the smile. Using the right device with original fibres, and having an experienced doctor who understands facial anatomy, are the main ways those risks are kept low. See is Endolift safe for more.
Dr Seth's view "Patients often ask about the number, 1470, as if it is the whole answer. It matters, because it decides where the energy goes. But the device, the fibre and the hands holding it matter just as much. I use the genuine LASEmaR 1500 with new original fibres every time, because I want to know exactly what the laser is doing under the skin."
Questions to ask a clinic
- Which device do you use, and who makes it?
- Is it the genuine Endolift system, and are the fibres original and single use?
- Who will perform the treatment, and what is their training?
- How many of these treatments have they done in the area I want treated?
Next step
If you would like to know whether a 1470 nm Endolift treatment could suit your skin, send 3 photos (front, left and right, in natural light) for Dr Seth's free assessment. Send your photos for a free assessment.
Questions people also ask
Is a 1470 nm laser the same as a resurfacing laser?
No. Resurfacing lasers work on the surface of the skin, removing or heating outer layers. In Endolift, 1470 nm energy is delivered under the skin through a fine fibre, so the surface is left intact apart from a tiny entry point.
Does a 1470 nm laser burn fat away?
It can liquefy small fat deposits because fat absorbs the wavelength well, but it is not a weight loss method or a substitute for removing large volumes. Its main value in Endolift is tightening and collagen remodelling alongside modest fat reduction.
Is every 1470 nm device the same as Endolift?
No. Many devices share the wavelength, but power control, fibre quality and design differ. Genuine Endolift uses the Eufoton LASEmaR 1500 with original single use fibres. Ask any clinic exactly which device and fibres they use.
Can you see or feel the laser light?
The light is infrared, so it is invisible. Under local anaesthetic most people feel pressure and some warmth during treatment rather than the laser itself. Tenderness and tightness are common for a few days afterwards.
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Results vary between individuals and are not guaranteed. Endolift® and LASEmaR® are registered trademarks of Eufoton® S.r.l.