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Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense Pulsed Light treatment is a new procedure that
treats a combination of changes of premature aging in the skin caused by sun damage (pigmentation and facial vessels) as well
as rosacea and permanent hair reduction. It is also an effective treatment of acne.
What is IPL - Intense Pulsed Light Treatment?
IPL in a non invasive medical technology that uses light therapy
for permanent hair reduction, eliminating age spots, sun sports, freckles and other unsightly discolourations of the skin,
superficial capillaries, port wine stains and other benign vascular lesions. It is also particularly effective for a
high percentage of people with rosacea.
How does IPL
work?
The treatment is applied by placing a han-held
treatment unit on your skin. This gtenerates an intense pulse of light in to the skin which is absorbed by elements with
colour in the skin. The IPL also eliminates hair, emplowing a method known as selective photothermolysis. This
involves disabling hiar growth mechanisms by raising the temperature of the hair follicle high enough to damage the follicles
germinative cells without damaging the skin and surrounding tissue.
The chromophores include melanin- brown ( in
pigmented areas) and haemosiderin- red (in blood vessels). Once the photons from the light hit the chromophore it turns
to heat energy, destroying these abnormal areas, but leaving the healthy skin unscathed.
What can be treated with IPL?
Complexions Skin Clinic offer a range of cost effective and professional treatments including:-
Permanent
Hair Reduction
Reduction of pigmented lesions (sun spots)
Reduction of fascular lesions (broken capillaries)
Skin rejuvenation
Acne Management
Who is suitable
for IPL?
Most people may be treated with IPL; however your doctor should determine
if your condition is sutiable for IPL teatments. People with dark skin types, are more prone to risk of hypo and hyperpigmentation,
and therefore may not be suitable candidates.
Do Intense
Pulsed Light Treatments hurt?
You may feel a slight
pinch such as that of a snap of a rubgber band, but no local anaesthesia or pain medication is required.
With hair
removal, the level of pain reduces with each treatment as there is less hair to treat.
With pigmentation treatments,
again the level of pain reduces with each treatment as the amont of pigment is reduced.
Are there any side effects from IPL?
You can return to work the same day
and resume all regular activities. Treated areas must be kept protected from the sun for 6 weeks after treatment.
How many IPL treatments are required?
Permanent Hair Reduction - 4 to 6 treatments
Reduction of pigmentation - 2
to 3 treatments
Reduction of vascular lesions - up to 4 treatments
Skin rejuvenation - 4 to 6 treatments
are recommended
Acne treatment - up to 4 treatments
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