IPL technology uses light energy to target pigmented cells and hair follicles with light. It turns this light energy into heat to destroy unwanted cells while simultaneously stopping new ones from growing back.
A medical professional will apply a cool gel to your skin before flashing a device across it for 20-30 minutes of treatment.
Reduced Risk of Complications
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is an innovative light-based treatment for permanent hair removal. Pulses of light energy penetrate the skin and penetrate the hair shaft and surrounding tissue, targeting pigment in both. Once there, this energy absorbs by the pigment and converts into heat that kills off each hair follicle while stopping future growth – leaving behind smoother, hair-free skin! Unlike traditional electrolysis processes that use needles inserted individually to shock each follicle individually with electric current, IPL treats each hair follicle all at once for faster, more comfortable results compared with traditional electrolysis methods that involve inserting needles individually into each hair follicle individually before shocking them with an electric current shock; IPL works much faster and more comfortably overall!
This treatment can also help fade freckles and age spots, reduce redness from broken blood vessels, rosacea or sun damage and stimulate collagen production for firmer, more supple skin. Furthermore, light emitted during the procedure can also be used to combat acne by killing off its bacteria source.
An IPL device emits light at multiple wavelengths, making it less effective at hair reduction than laser devices with more concentrated light output. Since IPL light spreads out across a wider area, only some of it reaches pigmented skin and converts into heat energy, leading to uneven results or even burns in extreme cases.
To avoid side effects, dermatologists recommend applying numbing cream or cool gel before beginning IPL treatments. A technician will rub this gel over the treatment site prior to using an IPL handheld device – patients may feel similar sensations as snapping an elastic band against their skin during this procedure! Depending on the size of treatment area, sessions could last 20 to 30 minutes.
IPL typically takes six to 12 treatments with noticeable results for hair reduction, although some people with darker hair or skin may require additional sessions to reach their goals. As it focuses on targeting pigment rather than hair follicles directly, this method may be better suited for people with lighter hair colors and fairer skin than laser alternatives.
Less Downtime
IPL utilizes non-contact light energy to heat and destroy pigment cells of hair follicles without harming other areas of your skin, unlike laser treatments which may leave scarring or burns behind. Furthermore, these treatments are quick and painless: typically treatment sessions last 20-30 minutes each and multiple sessions may be necessary for the desired result.
An experienced dermatologist or nurse/physician’s assistant will be able to perform IPL treatments on both your face and body. You could also try hiring one as IPL treatments are an affordable solution.
Before your treatment session starts, a cold gel will be applied to protect your eyes and prepare your skin for treatment. A handheld device will then pass over the target area emitting flashes of polychromatic light into your skin that target blood vessels with telangiectasias. Please avoid sun exposure before and after receiving this therapy treatment session.
Eye protection may be required during this quick and relatively painless treatment to safeguard your vision, which some have likened to feeling like the snap or pinch of a rubber band during treatment.
Darker skin generally responds better than lighter skin when treated, due to melanin’s role in absorbing and converting light energy into heat that disables your hair follicles. Unfortunately, too little melanin may lead to an uncomfortable burning sensation during treatment; dark skin should therefore be treated using higher fluences of light with settings tailored specifically for each individual’s tone of skin.
After an IPL treatment, your skin may turn pink and feel slightly sunburnt for 4-8 hours following treatment. Any discomfort should subside within this timeframe, and cool compresses or moisturizing cream can provide soothing relief to soothe it further.
IPL treatments can help improve a range of conditions, such as blotchy spots, sun spots, facial redness and enlarged pores. It’s also an effective way to remove unwanted hair with results lasting long-term. Unfortunately IPL cannot stop the aging process or reverse preexisting conditions which have contributed to your skin issues; follow-up treatment every one or two years is required in order to maintain results.
Less Pain
IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal treatments offer non-invasive solutions that use light energy to target melanin in hair, heating it to destroy it and stopping further hair follicle growth. Furthermore, light energy stimulates collagen and elastin production for improved appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even acne/pigmentation reduction.
IPL treatments are generally safe, though you may experience slight discomfort during your session – perhaps something similar to when rubber bands snap against skin during treatment. Luckily, modern IPL machines feature built-in cooling systems which blow cold air over the area being treated to minimize discomfort significantly.
After an IPL treatment, patients may experience a mild sunburn sensation which will quickly go away over time. To ensure optimal results from IPL sessions and avoid further skin reactions such as tanning beds, saunas, direct sunlight exposure or waxing or chemical peels. Your provider should advise on this matter at your consultation appointment.
Like laser hair removal, IPL typically works best on lighter skin tones; however, it may still be effective with darker tones when set properly. Erythema, blistering, keloid formation, scab formation, hyper/hypopigmentation, leukotrichia and scarring may result from nonspecific thermal damage caused by improper use.
IPL uses a wider spectrum of wavelengths than laser therapy to treat more areas of the face and body at once, making it an effective option for treating rosacea by improving meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) symptoms caused by dry eye syndrome, as well as improving appearance of enlarged pores, inflammation reduction and increasing collagen production.
IPL treatments offer those looking for silky complexions an alternative to regular shaving and plucking by permanently eliminating their unwanted hair without resorting to constant razoring and plucking. Keep in mind, however, that IPL will require several sessions spread out 4-6 weeks apart for optimal results.
Faster Results
IPL light therapy can not only fade age spots and darkened skin, but it is also capable of treating numerous other issues with your complexion. For instance, fine lines and wrinkles may be reduced, redness reduced, sun damaged marks reduced and unwanted hair removed using this process.
IPL utilizes a xenon broadband flash lamp to produce non-coherent light in both the visible and near infrared spectrums, passing it through filters chosen according to its use for various targets; longer wavelength filters may be better suited for treating deeper vessels while shorter wavelength filters will increase pigmentation in darker skin tones.
Pigment cells absorb light energy and convert it to heat, which destroys unwanted pigmentation or hair follicles by using IPL to target them and prevent future growth. While IPL works best on dark hair and blond or gray strands due to dense melanin cells within these hair varieties, fair or light colored locks cannot easily be targeted due to low melanin concentration levels in their skin or hair follicles; so regular maintenance of hair extensions may still be required with fair/light colors as this method.
Hair removal or other objectives typically require multiple IPL sessions for best results. Patients often wear dark glasses during these sessions, which also serve to protect their eyes. Cool gel is applied directly onto their skin before moving the device across their treatment area and sending pulses of light directly into it – typically lasting 20 minutes per session.
After receiving an IPL treatment, the affected skin typically turns slightly reddened or pink for about four to eight hours after an IPL session, often lasting four or eight hours at most. People may experience a mild sunburn sensation similar to having used cold packs or moisturizing lotion – this feeling usually subsides shortly thereafter and can be alleviated using either cold packs or moisturizing lotion. Over time however, healing will begin and many find that their results take weeks or more before becoming completely visible; once complete they can maintain them with regular maintenance sessions every 6 or 12 weeks or so.
