How Does IPL Work
The treatment involves the application of a focused, broad-spectrum light (xenon), which is applied to the surface of the skin using a hand-held application head. Selective photo-thermolysis involves the process of the light, which travels across and within the range until it reaches the hair shafts or the root of the hair (the bulb). The bulb is usually where the highest concentration of melanin is located. The melanin is what determines our hair/skin colour and once this melanin has been destroyed there can be no growth. The IPL light is changes into heat. This will literally ‘blow up’ the root of the hair. If a hair has nowhere to grow with no hair bed, it cannot grow!
This intense heat also destroys the papilla. IPL treatments will permanently reduce the total number of body hairs but will not result in a permanent removal of all hair and many factors can trigger re-growth such as hormones, menopause, pregnancy and medication.
With an IPL treatment, the hair growth cycle has to be in Anagen (the active stage). The hair growth cycle differs on different areas of the body which is why we need to recommend a course!
A- Anagen (active stage)
C- Catagen (transitionary stage)
T- Telagen (resting phase)
As the hair growth cycle process can take between 4-6 weeks, this is why we recommend a client to return for their course every 4 weeks.
It has the best track record.
IPL & Laser has the best overall results (on large areas), versus any other method, in getting rid of hair for longer periods of time if not permanently.
All skin types and hair colours can be identified.
IPL (intense pulsed light) it does target pigmentation (this determines hair and skin colour), but an ND Yag Laser is not determined by the Fitzpatrick Scale.
What is the difference between Laser and IPL
Laser and IPL are identified by their wavelength which is usually shown in nanometres (nm). IPL systems are different to a Laser machine as they have a range of emissions.
With the AATT Freeze 1 machine the range for hair removal is 640-1200nm (this is a ruby wavelength). For photo-rejuvenation the range is 540-1100nm (this is a green wavelength).
The Poly lightbulb emits a range of wavelengths to appear as a flash of white light
The Wavelengths are incoherent and travel in all directions with no order between them
The High beam spreads out more rapidly than a laser beam
The Focus is on a large area which reduces the risk of eye damage compared with coherent sources such as a laser beam.
IPL is the abbreviation of Intense Pulsed Light. The machines have been widespread in use since the beginning of the 1990’s. The flash lamp is commonly a xenon (huge uses across industry, photographic and medical)
