A system and method using a gas discharge to provide for dermatological treatments, such as hair removal. The system provides for varying the spectral output of the gas discharge lamp by varying the current density through the lamp. This ability to control the spectral output is particularly beneficial where the a variety of different skin types and hair types are being treated for hair removal. By changing the current density through the lamp, the spectral output from the lamp can be changed. Thus, where a power supply provides the ability to control the amount of current density through the lamp, the spectral output from the lamp is controlled and selected for a particular skin type being treated.
