|
HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORK?
The IPL (Intense
Pulsed Light) hair removal system produces a high intensity flash of
filtered light from the applicator hand piece, which has been placed
in contact with the skin. The energy from the light source is
absorbed by the pigment melanin in the hair follicle, which is the
chromophore that gives hair its color. The follicle rapidly absorbs
this filtered light which is converted into heat raising them to a
temperature of 70 degrees Centigrade. The heating kills or denatures
the cells making them incapable of producing further hair growth.
HOW IS THE TREATMENT CARRIED OUT? The
glass applicator is placed in contact with skin surface and the
light is pulsed through it into the skin, The applicator is then
moved to the neighboring area and the process is repeated.
CAN ALL HAIR BE TREATED?
Dark
hairs are most easily treated due to the high concentration of
melanin that gives maximum absorption and conversion of light energy
into heat. Fair hair has less melanin and consequently less heat is
produced, simply raising the fluence output can treat such hair.
White hair has no melanin and cannot be efficiently treated. The
upper skin layer of the epidermis also contains melanin. It is
therefore necessary to treat the dark skinned individuals with less
energy to avoid generation of excess heat and discomfort in the
skin. The superficial cooling of the skin also plays a major role in
isolating the heat to the target chromophore in the hair follicle.
The software of the Ecolite allows the clinician to adjust the
treatment parameters for different hair and pigment type according
to the client’s individual requirements.
DOES IT HURT?
As
the light energy is absorbed by the pigment melanin, the discomfort
depends upon the concentration of melanin in the epidermis and the
hairs combined. Consequently there will be more sensation in people
with
darker
skin and those with dense dark hair. No anesthetic
is required and most patients describe the pain as moderate and
acceptable, ”as if a hairbrush has been tapped against the skin"
DOES THE CLIENT NEED TO SHAVE PRIOR TO TREATMENT?
Ideally
hairs should be 1 to 2 mm long when the patient comes in for the
treatment improving the ability to see and mark out the treatment area.
Longer hair will absorb some of the energy diminishing an adequate
treatment dose. Normally hair is trimmed just prior to treatment to allow
maximum transmission of the energy. Plucking and bleaching should
not be done. By avoiding any other form of epilation and waxing 4
weeks before the treatment ensures as many follicles as possible
will contain a hair shaft and can thus be destroyed by the light.
WHY DOES HAIR SEEM TO *GROW” AFTER TREATMENT
Unlike
other light depilation treatments (hair removed above the skin), the
heat kills the hair root but the hair shaft remains in the skin.
They will be pushed out 1 to 3 weeks later as the epidermis renews
itself. During this period it will seem that the treated hair is
"growing". Depending upon the person and the treatment parameters,
the hair will sometimes come out within minutes after treatment and
even at times, immediately following the flash of light.
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF THE TREATMENT HAS WORKED WHEN HAIR IS NOT
REMOVED IMMEDIATELY?
Normal
indications of a successful treatment is no immediate visual
response, but 5 to 20 minutes later observing slight erythema
(redness) and perifollicular edema (a donut shaped swelling around
each destroyed hair follicle). These are good indications that
sufficient heating of the follicle has taken place.
ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?
The
light is safe so no special precautions are required apart from
filtered, safety glasses protecting the client and clinician from the
repetitive pulsing of the bright flash. Aside from the normal
indications described in the previous paragraph, there are no side
effects except for blistering and hyper/hypopigmentation problems
that can occur with photosensitive skin or excessive sun exposure.
These conditions are contraindications to treatment but provision is
made to begin treatment with test spots at very low fluences. The
fluences are slowly raised to where efficacy is achieved without bad
reactions and yet tolerable to the client. However, most clients
experience no side effects at all.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NECESSARY?
Only
hair in the anagen (growth) phase can be treated. The number of
hairs in this phase varies from 20% to 70%, depending on the body
site. The lengths of the growth cycles also vary from 6 to 24 weeks
depending on the body site (not including scalp which is 2-6 years).
For most patients three to five treatments are sufficient to clear
an area of hair up to 85%. After the first treatment most patients
get a significant reduction in hair density also new hair tends to
become finer. It is important to know that the first treatment is
believed to synchronize the anagen (growth) phase of the non-anagen
hairs. This may cause what seems to be regrowth but actually just
dormant (telogen phase) hair starting to grow at the same time. This
will in fact make successive treatments more effective.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR TREATMENT?
Patients should avoid tanning 1 month ahead of the treatment.
Immediately following treatment the skin is particularly sensitive
to UV light so strong sunlight should be avoided for 4-5 days.
HOW LONG DOES THE TREATMENT TAKE?
The facial treatment usually takes about 10 minutes where as both legs and
an entire back can take approximately 1hour.
IS IT PERMANENT?
Most authorities would agree that using current laser and IPL
technology it is possible to permanently remove hair. Histology
studies have found destroyed and denatured hair follicles cells in
post treatment. A recent study showed that the percentage reduction
in hairs after treatment using IPL systems are well above 80%.
|
