Intense Pulse Light is one of the more recent permanent hair removal techniques. The technique is approved by the US FDA as a method of hair removal. The origins of the intense pulse light are however not related to hair removal. The technology was developed for flash lamps to treat other conditions. Doctors observed hair loss on their patients as a result of IPL and this led to the development of IPL exclusively for hair removal. Approved as a tool for hair removal in 1997, there is a wealth of information from the FDA that verifies the safety and efficacy of this technique.
How IPL works
IPL uses light of a specific wavelength to cause thermal damage to the hair follicle. By using wavelengths that are best absorbed by the hair pigment (melanin) there is minimal skin damage. The damage to the follicle is thermal and IPL has been shown to be effective in delivering a broad spectrum of energies without harming the skin. Where there is no melanin as would be the case with white, grey or red hairs, this technique is not effective and alternative forms of hair removal will have to be sought.
The effectiveness of IPL
IPL treatments are usually spaced six weeks in between so it is easy to come up with a convenient schedule of hair removal. Within six months there is usually no hair left in the target area. IPL is best done when the hair has been shaved short unlike electrolysis where the hair has to be grown before treatment- how traumatizing for the girls with a bit of a beard! There is a success rate of between 54 and 77% as has been shown by some studies. Compared to other permanent hair removal techniques like electrolysis this is remarkably fast. It will take electrolysis between a year and four years to give you a hairless chin!
Issues of individual safety
IPL can be used by any healthy adult as long as it is well supervised by a qualified health practitioner, typically your physician. Epileptics are however discouraged form IPL primarily due to their increased sensitivity to external stimuli. Pregnant women are also discouraged from IPL. It is also unsafe to try and use IPL to get a quick skin tan as well!
Are there any extras?
Apart from hair free skin in a remarkably short time, remember that IPL was developed for other therapeutic purposes like to treat thread veins and to rejuvenate the skin. If these are part of the side effects then they are very welcome. IPL, as has been testified by users is also relatively painless and quite comfortable to use as a permanent hair removal method.
IPL is a relatively new technique and hence there is insufficient data on hair re-growth as the years go by. Chances are that you will be hairless for a long time.
