IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology provides a non-invasive, long-lasting solution for unwanted hair on the face, bikini line & other body areas. IPL has been performed safely for many years, effectively eliminating dozens of hairs with each pulse.
What is IPL?
IPL is a safe, non-invasive treatment that reduces the number of re-growing dark hairs
Light pulses are used to damage hair follicles and impair their ability to grow hair. Damaged hair follicles are eliminated, with excellent long-term results.
How does it work?
Highly controlled pulses of light are emitted with the IPL handpiece from a smooth, transparent Light Guide and are selectively absorbed by the hair follicles lying below the surface of the skin. The absorbed light heats the hair, which damages the re-growth potential of the follicle – all without damaging the surrounding tissue.
After introducing Intense Pulse Light (IPL) to Skin Sensations over 20 years ago, we quickly realised how fast and effective, superior results, could be achieved. Skin Sensations quickly became known as "The Place" to have IPL treatments done. Many places offer IPL these days but not all IPL machines are considered equal! We remain the number 1 clinic in Toowoomba due to our professional experience and our FDA and TGA approved machine - The Stellar M22 by Lumenis. The results achieved with this machine are second to none!
Clients are often recommended by medical professionals and we've had other IPL technicians from other practices actually coming to Skin Sensations for their own treatments!
What hair types and skin types can benefit from IPL?
IPL is effective on light brown, dark brown and black hair. The lower portion of the hair is the most important, so even light hair with a dark bulb can be treated effectively. IPL is safe for most skin types. However, fair skins with dark hair have the best results. If after a consultation, we determine that IPL is not the best option. we also offer Laser, Electrolysis and Dermaplaning.
What should you expect during treatment?
Your treatment begins by shaving away the hair in the treatment area. You can do this yourself on the morning of your appointment but if treating the face, it is ideal to allow the technician to check the hair at your first appointment and consultation to ensure IPL is the right fit for you. A cold gel is applied to the area to be treated, and you will be given specific glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from the bright light. The pulses of light are applied to your skin, damaging the hair follicles and their ability to re-grow hair. You may feel some heat and a slight stinging with each light pulse, though most people tolerate the treatment without numbing cream. When the gel is removed, much of the hair is wiped off with it. The remaining hair in the treated area falls out over the next week or two. For extra comfort, we also use our Cryotherapy machine to cool the skin during treatment.
- Before Treatment, parameters are set to ensure effective hair removal and skin safety.
- During Treatment, pigment in the hair shaft absorbs the light. The resulting heat damages each follicle.
- After Treatment, damaged hairs are eliminated, with excellent long-term results.
Highly controlled pulses of light are emitted with the IPL handpiece and are selectively absorbed by the hair follicles, damaging their potential for regrowth.
What should you expect after treatment?
The appearance of the treated area immediately following treatment will vary from patient to patient, depending on the extent of the procedure and the skin type. You may experience some slight reddening or local swelling at the treatment site, which are in fact, positive clinical results and indicate that the follicle has responded to the treatment. The skin may feel mildly warm and tingly for a short time. Treatments are generally administered in a series of four to twelve sessions that yield excellent long-term results. Most people return to normal activity right away, although we do recommend that you limit activities that will make you hot and sweaty for the first 24hrs. Sun protection is essential as the light therapy will make your skin temporarily more sensitive to UV.
Are there any possible side effects?
Side effects are rare. You may experience some slight reddening or local swelling at the treatment site, but this typically goes away within hours. On rare occasions, some blistering or darker/lighter skin changes may occur, but will generally return to normal within a few weeks. Limiting sun exposure before and after each treatment will minimize the risk of complications.
IPL Results
Before Under Arm Hair - After Under Arm Hair, Second Treatment
Before Bikini Line - After Bikini Line, Fourth Treatment
Before Facial Hair - After Facial Hair, Ninth Treatment
Want to learn about the science behind IPL and Laser?
There is a lot of confusion over what these devices are used for and how they stack up against one another.
Why is one type of device preferred over another?
This is a big topic! I will try to help you answer these questions. But first, I think what would be helpful is to lay out a basic background before diving into the pros and cons of different treatments.
What Does Light Do For Skin?
Light is a form of energy. For example, the light energy from sunlight powers photosynthesis in plants, which becomes a source of energy for us when we consume it as food. Light energy can be directed at the skin too. Different types of light do different things to the skin.
The sunlight that reaches Earth, which is composed of UVA and UVB rays, is a type of ionising radiation that causes the familiar sunburn as well as the typical signs of skin ageing (wrinkles, sagging, spots) and skin cancer.
Some forms of light are therapeutic and healing to the skin (e.g. red visible light used in LED light therapy).
Light devices function as sources of light. They emit light energy that is converted into thermal energy (HEAT) inside the skin.
This thermal energy has different effects on the skin:
- Heats up and destroys a specific target
- Activates a chemical in the skin that destroys a target
- Stimulates something in the skin (e.g. a fibroblast, which makes collagen & other dermal components, blood circulation)
The goal of a light device, such as IPL or laser, is to direct light energy to chemical targets in the skin.
These targets are called chromophores. The light is attracted to these chromophores because they possess a certain colour.
Light Targeting Can Treat A Variety of Skin Issues
The process of targeting chromophores in the skin and selectively destroying them is called selective photo thermolysis.
IPL and laser devices are designed with different wavelength settings. When you get an IPL or laser treatment, the clinician must choose the most appropriate modality (What device? What wavelength? What energy level?) for your desired goal.
Choose Your Provider Carefully
It’s very important that you obtain your light treatment from an experienced clinician who is legally permitted to perform these kinds of procedures and has enough training and experience to do it successfully. Kristy at Skin Sensations was one of the first light therapists in Toowoomba, working along side Trish, the Founder of Skin Sensations. Knowing which IPL or laser settings to choose requires experience with many different patients – seeing what works and what does not for different types of skin and situations.
The laws surrounding the operation of IPL and lasers vary widely from state to state. Some states require no licencing for IPL and Laser and some do. At Skin Sensations, Kristy is a licenced technician registered through QLD Health.
How are IPL and Laser Different?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light.
Laser is also an acronym. It stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
IPL and laser both emit light energy. The key difference between them is how.
LASER
When you think of a laser, what comes to mind? Do you remember Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker’s light sabre in Star Wars? That’s a good example of a laser.
A laser is a straight, focused, concentrated beam of light.
The keyword is a beam. It’s one beam. That beam of light is just one wavelength of light. That means, it has only one colour.
Laser points at a small area. Think of a laser pointer used by a speaker in a slide presentation.
IPL
Unlike a laser, IPL is not one beam of light. IPL consists of multiple wavelengths of light.
IPL light shines over a larger area. Think of a flashlight. The light from a flashlight is broader and more diffuse.
Because the light is more spread out, IPL delivers less energy than a laser. This makes IPL gentler.
Of course, the choice of whether to use IPL or laser will depend on your condition. Many conditions can be treated by both but one will usually be better than the other, depending on the colour of your skin or your Fitzpatrick skin type, the nature and severity of your problem, your time horizon, how much downtime is acceptable to you as well as your tolerance for pain.
A laser can also travel deeper into the skin than IPL. So, certain goals (eg. tattoo removal) can only be done by a licensed physician.
How do we choose? Kristy will take you through all the ins and outs to ensure you are armed with the appropriate information to make the best choice.
