IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. This form of hair removal is one of the fastest and least costly permanent methods available to get rid of unwanted hair on the body. It is a technique that is more commonly used by a cosmetologist or a medical expert however recently a number of do-it-yourself machines have also come onto the retail market. It was back in 1997 when IPL was first approved by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as an effective tool for permanent hair removal. Interestingly,this technology was initially developed for the treatment of other conditions, but instead it caused hair loss in patients.
Unlike traditional laser therapy, IPL is actually a light therapy and it differs from laser because a spectrum of different wavelengths of light energy are used and numerous skin structures are targeted, destroyed and stimulated at the same time. The pigment in hair, which is known as melanin, absorbs these pulses of light. Hair is heated up and the cells that cause hair to grow are destroyed, and as a result long term hair reduction is achieved.
In order to be effective, IPL must have skin cooling filters in place,, adequate power output, the right light filters, and a wide pulse-width. With these factors in place, hair follicles can be permanently destroyed, destroyed blood vessels can be treated, collagen can be regenerated and skin pigmentation can also be treated.
How An IPL Laser Hair Removal Treatment Is Carried Out
To protect your eyes from the intense pulsed light you will be asked to wear goggles. A layer of chilled gel will be applied to the area of your body where the light will be guided onto your skin to remove hair permanently. To make the treatment more comfortable, the area will also be cooled. The IPL device will be placed on your skin, and a short pulse of light will be released which enables many hair follicles to be simultaneously targeted. The device is placed wherever there is unwanted hair that needs to be removed, and the process will be repeated several times. After the procedure, the chilled gel is wiped off, and the area is moisturized.
Benefits of IPL Hair Removal
1. Hair on any part of the body can be safely and securely removed
2. Collagen production is improved
3. Even Skin conditions can be treated
4. Hair is removed very quickly
5. It is not too time consuming
6. No pain is caused by the procedure
7. Skin pigmentation problems can also be treated effectively
Where Can IPL Be Used?
IPL can be used to treat all areas of the body and face, and can be used for both men and women. IPL can be used to treat all hair colors and skin types, but hair follicles are more permanently destroyed when the hair color is darker, and the skin color is lighter. Rather than merely targeting the hair shaft, the melanin pigment in the base of the hair follicle is targeted by IPL. Usually, a larger amount of melanin is present in darker hair roots and darker skin colors and more heat-thermal energy is absorbed, thus destroying the hair more effectively.
Is IPL Hair Removal Permanent?
The truth is that have a body permanently free of hair is not really possible no matter what type of hair removal method or treatment you go for. However, IPL hair removal is a very advanced technology that reduces hair growth permanently. The great thing about IPL is that because it targets hair follicles, regrowth is dramatically reduced.
Overall, once you have undergone a series of treatments it is most likely there will be very little hair growth in the area where the IPL device was applied. At times, depending on the thickness and amount of hair, this hair removal method might even succeed at permanently stopping the hair from growing back. Even if hair does grow back in the area, it will usually be lighter in color, thin and weak and can be easily removed once again.