Most people ask the question, what is the difference between IPL and Laser? IPL and Laser are very different treatments and you the consumer, needs to know exactly what you are paying for. It is important to ensure you know what machine is being used for your treatments and to research the pros and cons of these machines. You will find that many companies throughout Adelaide and Australia claim to use IPL Laser Hair Removal. Please know that this is not genuine Laser Hair Removal and should not be treated or charged as such. To find out more, please read this clinical trial posted by Candela.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is available in many different versions including IPL, SPL, VPL, or CPL. The majority of people do not realise that there are significant differences between IPL and Laser and that there are inherent risks and side effects associated with IPL hair removal.
An Intense Pulsed Light machine uses a broad spectrum of light, sending out a variety of wavelengths of energy to destroy the hair follicle. The problem this can cause is this in turn opens the body up to receiving unneeded wavelengths of energy that can affect and damage multiple structures below the dermis. IPL cannot effectively isolate the specific wavelength that is only needed to destroy the hair and thus leaves a greater margin for error. IPL machines do not have the ability to use “selective photothermolysis”, which is the rapid heating of a select structure and not the surrounding areas. If not used by a highly skilled technician, IPL can cause burning and scarring of the skin.
It is also unknown what the long term effects may result from IPL on the body due to the higher levels of exposure of radiation.
The lasers used at SILK Laser Clinics are the Candela GentleLASE. These lasers are FDA approved Alexandrite lasers and the leaders in the hair removal industry.
These lasers operate by producing a single wavelength that is specifically relative to the hair follicle. By doing this, it can precisely and consistently attack the exact region that it is targeting, the hair follicle.
How does this laser get to the follicle to destroy it? The hair follicle is destroyed when the actual hair is still attached to the hair papilla, which is known as the anagen phase. When the hair is still attached to the hair papilla, the lasers specific wavelength can then travel down the hair and into the follicle, destroying it at the root.
As these are single frequency wavelength lasers, never at any stage does the laser penetrate the dermis or second layer of skin making this completely safe and accurate. The body is also not exposed to any other wavelengths that are not needed for the hair removal process.
This is the reason it is so important to ensure you undergo a course of treatments at regular intervals. Each treatment will destroy the hairs that are currently within the anagen phase, thus preventing future hair growth from that follicle. It is estimated that approximately 85 — 90% permanent hair reduction will be achieved from a course of 6 — 8 treatments.
By destroying the hair follicle through the single wavelength energy of the laser, a considerable amount of heat is produced, which can cause pain and undue discomfort. It is for this reason the Candela GentleLASE is built in with a “dynamic cooling device”. Spraying the skin with a flash of cryogen, the cooling device instantly freezes the tissue surrounding the hair follicle, allowing the laser to penetrate the skin without any pain and damage to the skin.
For any areas that are extremely sensitive, a numbing gel or spray can also be applied to the area prior to treatment.
Here at SILK Laser Clinics, we are dedicated at bringing you the best possible product at a reasonable price. We believe in being open with you and ensuring you are well equipped with knowledge so you can make the best choice for your specific needs.
That is why the Candela GentleLASE is the premier hair removal laser and studies continually show that laser gives superior results.
Please do not hesitate to contact one of our trained therapists on (08) 8272 7828 for a FREE, no obligation consultation and see these results for yourself.
Over the years, hair removal has become increasingly popular. Both men and women have been going in search of the best way to remove their hair and get that silky hair free skin. There are many varieties of hair removal that are now offered to the public. It is important to carefully consider all of your options when deciding what the best type of hair removal for your particular need is.
Let’s take a closer look at the most commonly used hair removal options on the market today:
- Shaving
- Depilatory Creams
- Waxing
- Plucking
- Electrolysis
- IPL
This is by far the most common type of hair removal and the most inexpensive option. However, results only last around 24 hours and is quite time consuming for larger areas such as legs, back, etc. There is also the problem of shaving rash, accidental cuts, ingrown hairs and the continual purchasing of shaving creams, razors, and after shave balms.
This form of hair removal lasts around one week and works by dissolving the hair. The creams are also fairly inexpensive and can be quite effective. Problems associated with this form can be allergic reaction, ingrown hair, redness, blistering, and not dissolving all of the hair effectively.
Waxing lasts approximately three to four weeks and is a substantial ongoing cost on the hip pocket. Apart from painful experience of waxing, other problems also include ingrown hair, bruising, blistering, and sometimes the removal of skin. Waxing should also not be done on skin imperfections such as moles, warts, rashes, and pimples.
This form of hair removal is mainly used for shaping areas of hair such as eyebrows. This is far too time consuming and cannot be performed on areas of large hair, such as lags, bikini, underarm etc. Results usually last three to four weeks.
Although this can give permanent results, this can be an extremely time consuming and costly procedure as each individual hair must have an electronic current past down the hair into the follicle.
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light machines and it is important to remember that IPL are not true genuine Lasers. Many companies throughout Australia, including Adelaide, incorrectly claim to advertise “laser hair removal” but in actual fact use IPL. As IPL uses a broad light spectrum, it cannot isolate the exact wavelength needed for destroying the hair follicle and thus exposes the body to other unwanted wavelengths of energy. This leaves the body open to unknown risks associated with excess radiation. If not skilfully handled, the lack of accuracy of IPL can open the body up to scarring from burning. When you pay for “Laser Hair Removal”, you want to make sure that this is what you are getting.
Please refer to the Laser vs IPL article for further explanation.
Here at SILK Laser Clinics, we use genuine FDA approved Candela Lasers. These lasers use a single wavelength resulting in scientifically proven results of accuracy and effectiveness over any other forms of hair removal.
The costs may initially be higher; however, it is by far the cheapest form of hair removal in the long run. Once a full course has been completed, you will never need to worry about removing hair in that area again. All areas that grow hair on the body can be treated by laser and these machines are completely safe as the lasers do not penetrate the second layer of dermis. With our dynamic cooling system in our machines, you will also find that our state of the art machines are virtually pain free.
Please don’t hesitate to give one of our trained therapists a call for no obligation free consultation.
