What Can an IPL Machine Do For You?
IPL machines emit multiple wavelengths of pulsating light that can target a variety of skin concerns without harming other tissue. They’re usually used by board-certified dermatologists, though some nurse practitioners can also administer them.
Home IPL devices typically use lower energies than the ones professional spas and salons use. That means they may not be as effective on darker skin tones.
Hair Removal
Unlike laser hair removal, which uses concentrated light energy to target individual pigment cells within the hair follicles, IPL technology is broad-based and works on a larger area of skin. IPL devices are also typically easier to use at home.
Whether IPL treatment is right for you depends on your hair colour and type and the location of the hairs you want to remove. You may also need several treatments before you achieve permanent hair reduction.
IPL hair removal is generally pain-free. A slight warm sensation is felt during each flash, but that’s it. Most devices go through IPL Machine clinical testing to ensure that they are safe and gentle, and many consumers have found them to be effective.
There are a variety of IPL machines available for home use, ranging from less powerful to more expensive models. Regardless of your budget, it is important to choose the right device for your hair colour and skin tone. Some of the best IPL hair removal devices come with a range of curved attachments to allow you to treat different body areas effectively. Some of the more expensive IPL hair removal devices also feature a SensoAdapt sensor, which automatically reads your skin tone and adjusts the flash intensity to make sure that you’re getting the most effective treatment.
The Braun Silk-expert Pro is a popular IPL hair removal option. Shoppers have reported that it is easy to use and works well for removing hair from the legs, arms and bikini area. It has a handy display that lets you know how many ‘flashes’ (aka treatments) are left before the lamp cartridge needs replacing, and a number of different intensity levels for different hair colours and skin tones.
Skin Rejuvenation
IPL treatment is a safe and effective way to treat discolored or blotchy skin, sun damage, enlarged pores, freckles, rosacea and acne. It is a non-invasive procedure that does not require the removal of tissue. This makes it ideal for individuals with sensitive or tanned skin who do not want to undergo more aggressive cosmetic treatments, which can be painful and lead to complications.
IPL is also highly effective at reducing the appearance of moderate to severe damage from the sun, light wrinkles and enlarged pores. It can improve skin texture and tone, while diminishing redness and improving scars and melasma. This procedure can be used to treat the entire face, neck, hands and arms.
The device emits a series of pulsed light to the skin’s surface, causing the blood vessels to expand and contract. IPL Machine After the treatment, the dilated blood vessels are absorbed by the body and flushed away as dead cells. The skin is then left refreshed, smooth and younger-looking.
Before the IPL treatment begins, your dermatologist or medical professional will rub a gel on your clean skin. The handheld IPL device will then be placed on your skin, and it may sting or pinch a bit. This feeling has been described as similar to having an elastic band snap on the skin. If the treatment does sting, you can ask your medical professional for a chilling gel or local anesthetic to help ease the discomfort.
Pigmentation
IPL machines provide a multitude of benefits which helps businesses grow their client base, as they can offer hair removal, pigmentation and vascular treatments using one single machine. This versatility is important as different clients will have specific treatment needs based on their skin tone and hair colour.
When used for hair removal, the IPL machine emits light at various wavelengths which is absorbed by the melanin (pigment that gives skin and hair its colour) in the hair follicle. When the follicle absorbs this energy, it is converted to heat, which damages the follicle and stops hair from growing. Over time, this reduces and eventually eliminates unwanted hair growth.
The IPL machine emits a wider spectrum of light than laser, meaning it can be used on a much larger area of the body as the device is not restricted by hair and skin colour. However, it is important to note that this doesn’t mean that it works on every hair type or skin tone. For example, IPL isn’t as effective on blonde and red hair as it is on dark colours as it can’t distinguish between the follicle and surrounding skin.
During treatment, the IPL machine will emit a strong pulse of filtered light that is absorbed by the melanin in freckles, sun spots and liver spots. The melanin is then broken down and over time, the area becomes darker and crusts before being reabsorbed by the body and leaving little to no trace of the original lesion.
Spider Veins
IPL treatment can be used to reduce the appearance of spider veins (called telangiectasias by doctors) on the face or anywhere else on the body. These are dilated blood vessels that manifest in a branched pattern on the skin’s surface and are very cosmetic unsightly. Spider veins are a problem for both men and women and they can be particularly noticeable on the face. The good news is that there are many effective treatments that can be used to reduce their appearance.
IPL treatments work by emitting a light that penetrates the deeper layers of the skin, without damaging the outer layer. This light is absorbed by the darker cells of the skin, such as the red cells of the broken capillaries. This energy is then converted to heat that causes the vein to collapse and then the body naturally scavenges and closes off these blood vessels. It can be a great option for people who are not comfortable with needles or who are allergic to the sclerosant that is often used in traditional sclerotherapy treatment for these type of veins.
The treatment is quick, safe and effective. Some patients experience a sensation like a hot snapping of the skin each time the pulse of light is delivered, but most find it very tolerable. The treated blood vessels will fade gradually over the weeks following treatment.
