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Power Comparison:
Standard laser epilators produce CW or Pulsed output power around 1-20
Watts. An IPL typically produces 300-600 Watts. This allows for a much
larger treatment diameter, which equates to far greater speed and
efficiency for the technician.
One
of the greatest benefits of the IPL, over that of the laser, is the
difference in cost. The typical 'price per watt' of a standard laser is
$1,000-$2,000 whereas the price per watt of an IPL is roughly $100-$200.
Average life expectancy of the flash tube is over one million pulses.
This equates to 3-5 years of reliable service, nearly the same as a Long
Pulse Diode. The flash tube is easily serviceable when it comes time for
replacement and costs around $300-$500 (depending on unit).
The Benefits of IPL over Laser:
Larger areas can be treated at one time. A typical man's back would
require about 60-90 minutes with a Long Pulse Diode. The IPL600 would do
the same job in about 10 minutes.
IPL
works on persons who are outside of the acceptable limit for the
Fitzpatrick skin pigment grading scale. A type 6 could be treated safely
(with skin bleaching).
No
hair is vaporized so there is much lower risk of pitting around the hair
follicle itself (from intense heat).
IPL
gives added benefits as a result of the hair removal treatment. Improved
tone, texture, and vitality of the skin is commonly noted.
Benefits of Laser over IPL:
As
fantastic as IPL is, it cannot be used for actual 'laser shaving'. This
is a procedure in which a laser is used to vaporize hair above the skin
for immediate cosmetic improvement, but gradual (or progressive)
permanency.
The
reason is very simple. The IPL energy emission exit port (Ruby, Glass or
Sapphire optic) is in direct contact with the skin during the
treatment. The reaction that occurs when the radiation strikes a hair is
very intense heat (about one million degrees). It would cause pits and
burns in the optic as well as potentially burn the patient's skin which is
in direct contact with the vaporizing hair.
IPL
must be used on shaved (or waxed) skin. The tissue being targeted is
about 1/8 to 1/4 inch below the skin (the follicle and papilla).
Although laser shaving looks impressive at the time of the treatment,
overall the results are less than that of a deep tissue penetrating
treatment such as IPL.
Many
technicians prefer to have both types of machines (laser and IPL) at their
disposal for client who prefer laser shaving.
How many treatments will I need?
Like
laser epilation, IPL is a progressively permanent procedure. This means
that improvement will be noted over a series of treatments. Due to hair
growth cycles and a variety of other factors, an investment of 6-10
treatments over 90 days is normal.
Discomfort and Client Reaction:
Remarkably, the sensation felt with an IPL treatment is no more intense
than
that
of a laser (although much more total energy is being delivered to
the tissue). The first two pulses from the IPL generally are
not felt by the client. The third (if the
 technician
chooses to deliver that many) begins to feel
like a snap of a rubber band (as
the tissue absorbs and retains the energy). Five or more pulses in less
than one second may be uncomfortable for some clients. The use of a
topical desensitizing spray or pre-treatment cold pack will alleviate most
sensation.
It
is generally not necessary to deliver more than 3 pulses to a single cm2
of skin for effective hair removal treatment.
Client Pre-Qualifications: Like laser, the best
candidate for IPL hair removal has fair skin with dark terminal
hairs. Skin typing for
exposure to ultraviolet light can be categorized by the Fitzpatrick
classification, developed by Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick of Harvard Medical
School.
Skin Type I:
Never tans, always burns (extremely fair skin, blonde hair, blue/green
eyes)
Skin Type II: Occasionally tans, usually burns (fair skin, sandy to brown
hair, green/brown eyes)
Skin Type III: Often tans, sometimes burns (medium skin, brown hair,
brown eyes)
Skin Type IV: Always tan, never burns (olive skin, brown/black hair, dark
brown/black eyes)
Skin Type V: Never burns (dark brown skin, black hair, black eyes)
Skin Type VI: (black skin, black hair, black eyes)
Types 1 through 4 are outstanding candidates. Type 5 will have excellent
results as well but care must be taken to assure that the IPL will not
burn the skin.
IPL Treatment:
Deep Tissue Thermolysis With Follicle Extraction and Carbon Dye:
The
treatment protocol for IPL hair removal is remarkably similar to deep
tissue (long pulse) laser epilation. Before applying treatment, remove
all hair from the area by tweezing or waxing. IPL hair removal is most
effective when applied to an empty follicle shaft. Most human hair does
not normally have enough pigment to allow for sufficient heat exchange to
cauterize, desiccate and necrotize the cells which produce hair. To
compensate for this lack of quantitative and qualitative photon targets,
it will be necessary to place a high-density carbon dye inside the
follicle prior to treatment.
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adjustability.
