Is Pulsed Light Hair Removal For You?

Intense Pulsed Light treatments (IPL), also known as Photofacial skin treatments are used to treat different skin problems: Rosacea, aging skin, unwanted hair, broken blood vessels, etc. Of course, pulsed light hair removal is also popular.  

The intense light pulses are used to treat the unwanted hair; the light goes over the skin and completely destroys the growing hair on the area. This hair removal technique is very effective and brings long lasting results. Although the results will not come immediately - usually it will take around 4-6 weeks to get them; but actually it will depend on the skin and hair type you have.

Since IPL is not a laser, it s much gentler and safer for the skin. The flash of light is used for the treatment. Also this method uses sophisticated filters to apply a specific wavelength or color of light spectrum to pass through on to the skin. The light is adjusted to the color of its target to be able to remove it. That is why this method is also known as photothermolysis. The energy of light heats the target to damage or dissolve it. This energy can be tuned to target only specific object without touching anything else.

To get the success with the pulsed light hair removal therapy one has to find the perfect wavelength or color that will be absorbed by the target (as the unwanted hair in our case). If these parameters are found properly no side effects appear.

Before you undergo any treatment check if the hair removal equipment approved by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) - organization in charge for medical technology.

Both methods are good for permanent unwanted hair removal. Yet some differences are there.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) also called Photoderm uses bright light; it is also a computer based machine. The light here is not as powerful as laser light. Thus it is called photo therapy. This light produce enough energy to remove unwanted hair ad to deal with other skin problems, but it requires less energy than the laser, which also means less heat for the skin, and less risk of skin injures and scarring. Also this type of treatment is less painful, though we need to mention, that modern laser treatment is also almost painless, if done properly.

Another major difference is the technology itself. The laser is coherent, which is not for the IPL. The IPL waves can interfere with each other thus increasing or decreasing the wave power. The laser power is always the same. Laser light is also monochromatic and collimated whereas IPL is not. It means that the wavelengths of laser have the same frequency and travel in the same direction. It makes it difficult to treat persons with varying colors of hairs. But for IPL it is not the problem; the IPL can penetrate to various depths into the skin.

IPL is effective in treating a wider number of skin types I-V (1-5); whereas laser is only suitable to treat skin types I -IV (1-4). Also IPL is considered to be quicker in treatment than the laser method. Of course there are sometimes special skin care applications that need the more powerful laser treatments, like skin resurfacing to remove wrinkles; but generally for removing unwanted hair the IPL are very effective.

The benefits of using IPL are almost the same as for the laser hair removing treatment: permanent removal of unwanted hair, a younger look, smooth skin, no more hassle with waxing and shaving.

Sometimes there are scary stories about getting scarred with IPL. Well, although this may be or may not be the true, we would recommend you to consult with your doctor before you start your treatment to make sure no negative side effects will happen to you.

So Is The IPL Hair Removal Good For You?

Although the IPL method is very effective for permanent hair removal, yet if a person has red, white or grey hair, it may not work. And if your hair is fine blond, the results may be less than expected. So that is why it is important to get an advice for the therapist - to avoid disappointment from your treatment.

To find out about pulsed light hair removal cost it is better to approach a clinic which specializes on it. Or visit online resources or clinics' websites to get the required information that will help you to choose the treatment that is best for you.