IPL stands for Intense Pulse Light and is a way to get rid of unwanted hair permanently.
Why use IPL for hair removal?
Although there are various ways of removing unwanted hair (like plucking, waxing, shaving and so forth), these techniques only remove hair temporarily. The hair follicle stays intact and may even stimulate it which can lead to increased and stronger hair growth.
IPL not only treats the hair but also the follicle, which may lead to permanent hair removal.
How does it work?
IPL is a light energy that is applied to certain parts of the body, so that the target structure – whether it be hair or blood vessel in the skin – absorbs the energy and is destroyed. The IPL machine produces a burst of light that is applied to the skin through a hand piece. Through the hand piece the light energy is transmitted into the skin. The skin itself will be cooled with a cooling gel.
In order to destroy the hair follicles the hair needs to be heated as much as possible without damaging the skin. This is achieved by giving 5 or 6 light pulses in quick succession. The pulses heat up the skin while the pauses in between cool it down again. As the skin cools faster than the hair follicle the IPL pulses are able to destroy the follicle while leaving the skin intact.
How is IPL hair removal different from traditional laser treatment?
Unlike other types of hair removal lasers that use a single light wavelength concentration, IPL lasers use a full spectrum of light wavelengths. The IPL’s greater wavelength spectrum may also lead to less precision and less control, which could mean an increased risk of burns and hair removal side effects with misuse.
One of the biggest reasons why IPL lasers are so popular in the hair removal industry is the lower cost. On average, IPL treatments are cheaper. They can also treat larger skin portions at a time, so areas like the legs and back can be treated in a fraction of the time required with standard lasers.
Advantages
- You can achieve permanent hair removal
- More cost effective than standard laser hair removal
Disadvantages
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), as well as laser, are potentially harmful when used incorrectly so make sure that you see an accredited practitioner
- It is possible that not all hair is permanently removed as some of the hair follicles escape destruction either by having very light or narrow hairs, or the follicles are in a reproductive phase during treatment.
- All skins are different and some skin may may be so sensitive that it can burn, which could lead to blistering and cause pigmentation. This is why many clinics will perform a patch test at your first consultation: IPL treatment is performed on one part of the skin that is not clearly visible. If there are no reactions after a few days, it is safe to proceed IPL hair removal treatment of the other skin areas.
- The treatment may not be completely painless (depending on your pain threshold)
Singapore IPL Professionals
There are many beauty professionals and aesthetic clinics in Singapore that offer IPL treatments. Please check our beauty professionals directory in the IPL hair removal section. If you want to have a look at what you can expect with an IPL treatment, you can have a look at the video on the right.
We would like to know your experience with IPL hair removal. Please let us know in the comments below.
Related articles:
- Permanent hair removal with laser: how does it work?
- Visage hair salon and spa
- IYAC Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Clinic
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