The phrase “IPL hair removal” has been widely used, although few people understand what it is or how it works. It is accessible in clinics throughout the nation, and some at-home IPL devices are now sophisticated enough to compete with professional treatments.
If you’re thinking about getting this hair removal treatment, stay reading for expert advice on everything you need to know, from the differences between IPL and laser to the treatment times you may anticipate.
DOES IPL CAUSE HURT?
Because the answer is heavily reliant on your pain threshold, you’ve undoubtedly heard a number of responses to this question. The sensation is commonly equated to an elastic band flick, although the best IPL devices work so swiftly that you won’t have time to notice it.
HOW LONG DOES IPL TREATMENT TAKE?
Some people may experience effects in as little as three weeks, although the actual time will vary from person to person, based on a variety of circumstances.
WHO IS SUITABLE FOR IPL TREATMENT?
Whether you’re arranging an appointment at a clinic or purchasing an at-home IPL machine, you must first determine your appropriateness.
Because the method targets the pigment in the hair, your skin tone and hair color must vary significantly. Because of the risk of damage and discoloration, most experts advise avoiding using an IPL machine on dark skin, and persons with light blonde or red hair should also avoid this therapy.
Anyone with fine, dark hair and a pale complexion is likely to get the greatest and fastest results. Treatment may take longer if you have underlying skin or medical concerns, such as PCOS or thyroid issues.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST IPL HAIR REMOVAL FOR A CLINIC OR SALOON?
It might be tough to decide if laser or IPL is better for your business. We provide professional help in making an educated choice.
Before acquiring a laser or IPL equipment, it is vital to perform research. Choosing the right solution for your requirements may not only save you time and money, but it can also make or destroy the reputation of your salon. While laser and IPL devices are extremely versatile, hair removal and skin rejuvenation are the most typical salon applications.
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Although all wavelengths utilized for laser/IPL hair removal are suitable for hair removal, they are not necessarily appropriate for all Fitzpatrick skin types I-VI. According to specialists, lighter skin can be treated with any wavelength; however, darker skin requires wavelengths that are not as effectively absorbed by melanin, which means they penetrate deeper into the skin and bypass most of the epidermal melanin. Lasers and IPLs that emit light between 650nm and 1100nm can all be used to permanently remove hair, but each has advantages and disadvantages.
LASER FOR SKIN REJUVENATION
When selecting a laser for skin resurfacing, there are numerous aspects to consider. Some lasers have chromophore specificity. To target pigment, you can use Alexandrite and related lasers, or you can pick lasers with non-specific absorption. Because longer wavelength lasers, such as Erbium yag and CO2, are strongly absorbed by water within the skin or tissue, they do not require a chromophore.
Another consideration is non-ablative versus ablative treatment. Non-ablative lasers are typically utilized for mild to moderate skin disorders, whereas ablative lasers are employed by doctors for more serious conditions. The decision is based on what is necessary in terms of depth of injury, energy intensity, the density of delivery, and laser-tissue interaction.
The use of fractional lasers for skin rejuvenation has recently grown in popularity. The laser beam can be fragmented into minute microscopic channels using fractional lasers. This is a method of scattering the beam, gaining control, and generating a more uniform effect with less surface damage because you’re skipping places. Operators can spread the micro heat zones more broadly by altering the energy as well as the density. With increased intensity, the depth of penetration may be varied, providing far better control and variety than previous lasers.
Fractional lasers can treat a wide range of conditions, including face and neck rejuvenation, skin renewal, and scars and stretch marks. Some can also be used to cure pigmentation.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is another popular rejuvenation treatment, particularly for vascular and pigment disorders.
HOW TO SELECT THE BEST IPL PROVIDER?
Many patients, practitioners, and even physicians are unaware that there are numerous IPL devices on the market and that not all IPLs are the same. IPL is, in my opinion, the most underappreciated gadget in the non-invasive laser/light device category. IPL is an excellent treatment for “browns and reds,” which include sun damage, melasma, spots, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, spider veins, and other types of discoloration. However, it is not without risks if the wrong equipment is utilized or if it is used by an untrained practitioner. As a result, there are a few factors that you, as a patient or practitioner, should be aware of in order to select the best IPL provider.
Not all IPLs are the same. IPL laser machine comes in a variety of grade levels. They can be found for as little as $10,000 and as much as $100,000. You get what you paid for.
A smart IPL is versatile and may be tailored to each patient’s specific needs. For each patient, issue, and skin type, different settings and parameters can be modified and custom. Cheaper devices will lack these configurable settings and will almost certainly fail to give safe and effective results. Like a sniper, a sophisticated IPL can choose specific colored targets at each distinct degree of depth in the skin for each individual skin type. Less sophisticated systems will take a shotgun approach, hoping to hit something!
The doctor is well-trained and responsible. It is also critical that the individual doing the treatment be properly skilled. You must understand the science and physics of IPL, why you should or should not use it for certain scenarios, and how to use your device’s settings to maximize results and safety. Many practitioners believe that higher training is unnecessary because “it’s only a light.” Well, it’s a device that, if not used by a properly educated practitioner, can be extremely dangerous.
Medical laws vary by state. Finally, IPL practitioners must abide by state medical legislation. I see it all too often that a patient receives an IPL treatment at a site with little to no physician involvement or even a physician without sufficient training. This is a violation of the law. IPL can only be utilized at a physician’s office in all states that I am aware of. If a non-physician does the procedure, the physician must still be properly involved in treating and conferring with the patient, giving informed permission, and developing guidelines for safe and effective treatment with before and aftercare.
