At the CIME Clinic we believe that it is important to clarify some concepts related to the topic of hair removal. Since many patients come and tell us:
"I don't want photoepilation, I want laser."
"I have already had‘ x ’Photoepilation (IPL) sessions in a center that I went to once a month without having achieved results."
"I don't want photoepilation, they have told me that the best is Alexandrite."
The main problem is that in different NON-medical centers they give wrong concepts and confuse people. Let's go to the definition to the clear concepts.
PHOTODEPILATION
Permanent or permanent hair removal consists of destroying the hair follicles so that they do not produce hair. To achieve this, there are laser photoepilation equipment and Intense Pulsed Light or IPL. The hair on the body is colored due to melanin. When light falls on melanin, the light energy is transformed into heat, traveling through the hair until it reaches the bottom of the follicle, where the cells that make hair grow are located, destroying them by thermal action.
The reason why several epilation sessions are required is that, at the same time, the hairs on the body are in different stages of growth. The number of sessions will depend on the area to be waxed, whether it is a man or a woman, and in general, on the individual reaction of each person to the photoepilation treatment.
The stages of hair growth are:
- Invisible anagen. The hair has just begun to grow and is not showing up to the surface of the skin. The Light cannot influence, therefore, the photoepilation session will not be effective for the hairs that are in this phase.
- Visible anagen. The hair is visible from the outside and the conduit through which it comes out is continuous to its base. In this phase, when the laser or pulsed light can travel through the hair and reach the bottom, where the cells to be destroyed are located.
- Visible telogen. The hair is equally visible from the outside, but it is separated from the womb, so the path that the Light must go is cut off. In this phase, the hair is burned, but the thermal energy does not reach the bottom, not being able to heat the hair follicle enough so that the hair grows back.
- Invisible telogen. It is the resting stage, that is, there is no hair but the follicle is at rest. The photoepilation session will not be effective in this phase either.
Now we know why several photoepilation sessions are necessary: ​​we have to make the session act on all the hairs in the visible Anagen phase and it is pure chance to achieve it. Experience tells us that after 5 to 8 sessions, 90% of the hair is reached in this phase.
DIFFERENCES IN LASER PHOTODEPILATION AND PULSED LIGHT
We already know that Laser and Pulsed Light are both photoepilation with an identical operating principle, destroying the follicle by means of heat, although they have some different technical characteristics. Its use and application will depend on several factors that we are going to know below:
Laser or IPL Pulsed Light: different technical characteristics
The main technical difference lies in the way the light is applied. Laser photoepilation is the term used to identify equipment that generates a specific type of electromagnetic radiation, laser light. A single color light is applied and the particles that make up its beam go in the same direction and travel on the same wavelength, making the laser point and precise.
Let's see in detail the characteristics of this type of light:
- Unidirectional: The laser light is emitted in a straight line, in a single direction without divergence.
- Monochromatic: of a specific color to be absorbed by melanin, the pigment that is contained by hair and skin and that gives them their color.
- Unique wavelength, another of the characteristics that differentiate the laser from Pulsed Light
- Intensity: concentrates the radiation in a single point, therefore with great energy.
IPL INTENSE PULSED LIGHT photoepilation is characterized by the following:
- The beam of light is polychromatic, of various colors.
- Pulsed light moves in all directions.
- It has different wavelengths, which makes it easier for the same team to treat different types of hair.
- It is the newest technology and the one that is evolving the fastest.
How do laser photoepilation and IPL pulsed light work?
The laser hair removal system is based on the application of a beam of light to a small group of hair follicles. The operating principle is the same as for Pulsed Light: the applied energy is transported through the melanin of the hair, as if it were an electrical conductor, and ends in the root that is destroyed by heat concentration, without applying damage. some to the rest of the skin, is what is known as selective photothermolysis.
The principle of operation of the Pulsed Light does not differ from the Laser, it is the same, reaching the root and destroying it by concentrated thermal energy (heat), although there are small technical differences. In the case of IPL, the beam of light is not continuous, but as its name indicates, they are pulses of light that, as with the laser, cause an increase in temperature in areas with more melanin (hair), that the root ends up burning.
The main advantage of Pulsed Light over laser hair removal is that this system is effective in most phototypes and conditions, thanks to its variable wavelength. Of course, its effectiveness will always be greater the darker the hair.
PULSED LIGHT photoepilation is a treatment with a somewhat longer session duration, but it has the advantage of achieving optimal results in a wide spectrum of phototypes, thanks to its variable wavelength. In addition, the new multipulse equipment has become 100% painless and burns have become remembered. In conclusion: highly versatile systems, that is, practically all phototypes (types of skin and hair) are successfully treated with a single device.
We must conclude that the success of any of the treatments will always depend on the use of a top brand equipment, well maintained and used by specialized professionals.
Request your informative medical appointment and we will advise you.
https://www.clinica-cime.com/contact
Dr. Manuel Rubio
Aesthetic Doctor
Col 45659