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What is Intense Pulsed Light or IPL?
Pulsed light device is a very powerful beam of light formed by photon packages that move through space in different wave lengths. This gives the beam of light special characteristics: polychromatic, non coherent and multi-directional.
How does it work?
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Hair contains melamine which is a protein that provides it with colour. When the beam of light, with a determined wave length and intensity, interacts with hair, the light energy applied is taken up by melamine and becomes heat energy, this is what is known as selective photo-thermolysis, destroying hair follicles without affecting adjacent tissues.
Hair removal through intense pulsed light or IPL Tahe provokes hair follicle destruction. |
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Tahe photo-depilation provokes hair follicle destuction without affecting adjacent tissues.
Hair has three phases of growing:
Anagen (growing), catagen (resting) and telogen (shedding); this conditions the effect of photo-depilation (we only remove hair in anagen phase) and the number of sessions.
Time between sessions will depend on the evolution of the treatment, although it is advisable that these periods of time be short (every four weeks) at the beginning and lengthen progressively.
Ideally the patient advises her/his beautician when she/he notices new hair growth.
Sessions
1 Photo-depilation is a progressive method because it only affects hair in its anagen or growing phase (when the hair shaft is united to the follicle). In the body we can normally find 20–30% of hair in anagen phase 50-80% destruction of hair is possible.
2 The hair in telogen phase is not affected by the beam of light, but this is the one which will grow later, and it is then when it must be removed. This is why various sessions are necessary in order to achieve a long lasting depilatory effect.
3 Hair growing is also conditioned by different factors such as: sex, age, thickness and localization, hormonal levels and medication. Therefore the period of time between sessions depends on the person and the treated area, as it is necessary to wait until hair returns to its active phase of growing.
Application
Pulsed light devices are operated by qualified staff. This is backed up by an insurance and medical support.
In each session the treated area will be marked out shaved. Then the handle piece of the device will be applied directly on the skin.
Inmediately following treatment, it is common to note soft skin redness or a slight swelling, but this will disappear in a few hours. The patient can continue with his everyday activities.
After each session the laser operator will recommend a Tahe product which the patient should apply at home directed.
Precautions
Avoid sun exposure for at least 4 weeks before and after the treatment.
Photo-depilation is not effective on white/grey hair as it it does not contain melanin.
Contraindications
It is not recommended for: dark or recently suntanned skins, pregnant women, boys/girls under 14 years old.
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