Ipl Information, Equipment and Hair Removal Supplies

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IPL Hair Removal Questions?

Treatment Efficacy:  Permanent hair removal is a gradual process which takes 90 days or more for complete destruction of the follicle tissues. Each hair must go through its entire growth cycle for it to be effectively treated. Generally, it is only during the early anagen phase that it is vulnerable to destruction. The following chart will give you an accurate example of what the reduction in growth activity should look like from 30, 60 , and 90 days of treatments.
Important Considerations for Safe IPL Hair Removal Treatment
Treatment Around or Near the Eyes: Great care must be exercised when working near the eyes. The IPL emission is powerful enough to actually penetrate the eyelid and permanently damage the eye. Having the patient close their eyes is not satisfactory protection. The use of a dark-colored damp wash cloth which is folded over four times will deflect the harmful radiation; however, only laser protective eyewear is recommended.

Treatment Around or Near Mucus Membranes: IPL radiation will severely damage the tissues inside the nose and ear canal. Treatment should be avoided in these areas altogether.

Treatment Around or Near the Genitals: IPL hair removal is safe for application to the pubic regions including the reproductive organs of both sexes. Care must be taken into consideration in these areas due to the increased level of neural sensitivity. The patient may find the process uncomfortable without a topical desensitizing spray.

Treatment Around or Near the Areola (nipple): IPL hair removal is safe and effective on hair growth which occurs from the areola of both sexes.

Post-Treatment: The skin surrounding the treatment area will experience short-term erythmia (reddening) which will subside within 12-24 hours. Should the treatment area show signs of excess scabbing you may wish to reduce the overall treatment time or intensity. The application of a post-treatment cooling and healing gel (such as Aloe) is encouraged to speed healing and reduce sensitivity. Instruct the patient to refrain from applying cosmetics or sunbathing for at least 24 hours.

Over Treatment: Each IPL pulse sends a series of photon ‘bundles’ deep into the skin where it damages the hair follicle tissues. This IPL radiation also will have mild effects on capillaries and skin tissue. If too many IPL pulses are administered the capillary network will begin to break down. This will create a bruise which will take several days to subside. Although the use of lasers to destroy capillaries in the skin is quite common (for spider veins, port wine stains, birth marks etc), it is not the intent of this treatment as outlined for hair removal to damage other tissues. For that reason the technician should carefully test and document how many laser pulses each patient can withstand before capillary breakdown (bruising) occurs.

The general rule of thumb is to patch test the skin with 7 pulses (on full power) then send the patient home. Have them back in the office in 24 hours to observe the reaction. If there is no burning or bruising, administer the full treatment. It is not recommended to deliver more than 10 pulses to one stationary area at a time. If more than 10 pulses are delivered the technician should make a small circular motion with the IPL head to avoid sending all the energy through the exact same entry points.