Laser, Intense Pulsed Light and Electrology

Laser, Intense Pulsed

Light and Electrology.

Will it all fit into

your salon day?

Depth of penetration by different lasers laser_intensepulsedlight

Recently, Trudy Fleming a specialist is electrology, came to NZ to lecture on the subjects of laser, intense pulsed light and electrology. A formidable number of beauty therapists, electrologists and laser nurses came to listen to Trudy, to hear what she had to share with us all.

In the past beauty therapists have stayed away from laser as a form of hair removal, one, because it was within the boundary of the medical practitioner and two, because there was no conclusive proof about its effectiveness in comparison to the correctly done 'blend electrology' procedure.

Trudy shared her experience of how IPL (intense pulsed light) became part of her working day. Its a story that many of you could relate to. (I know I could)

Trudy returned from America after completing training in all modalities of laser hair removal and intense pulsed light. Sharing her experiences with her clients Trudy found that many of them confessed although they were coming to her for their facial electrolysis, they were also attending the local laser clinic for removal of large areas of body hair like the bikini, underarm and legs. In addition, they said, that if she was going to move into laser they were more than happy to have their laser body treatments with her as well as their electrolysis, because they had faith in her abilities and knowledge, and that they were delighted Trudy was considering offering the service.

Isn't it ironic, even though up to that time there was still no conclusive proof of the permanency of laser or IPL, people were still willing to try any means of hair removal in the hopes of achieving long term or permanent removal of that hair. The stories of pigmentation, scarring and lack of permanency did not deter them one bit. It was worth the risk to get control of their superfluous hair.

Trudy still holds the belief that blend electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal system, but that we must consider that that permanency is only going to happen if the operator is well trained, takes her time with the procedure and uses equipment that is modern and effective.

Lack of consultation, fast epilation, careless/incorrect insertion into the hair follicle, lack of focus, tiredness, over booking, wrong needle size and old equipment all contribute to poor and ineffective epilation. These factors will also contributes to painful treatments, scarring, pigmentation and lack of permanency with electrolysis.

So where does that leave us? It seems to me that our clients want more than what we are offering in the way of hair removal. Even if its not permanent, they want some form of long term hair removal management system, and this is where our focus should be in the future.

Long Term Hair Removal Management Systems.

Laser and Intense Pulsed Light

Let us compare them to electrolysis and get a better understanding of some of the differences between these modalities.

Electrolysis

• Invasive

• Slow

• Painful

• Cheaper

• Permanent

Laser and Intense pulsed light (IPL)

• Non invasive

• Fast

• Less pain

• More expensive

• Not permanent

Electrolysis

• Hair by hair

• Test patch recommended

• Redness, maybe swelling

• Scabs or crusts (on body)

Laser and Intense pulsed light (IPL)

• Multiple hairs

• Test patch necessary

• Redness, maybe swelling

• No scabs

Now let us look at some of the differences between Laser and IPL

Intense Pulsed Light is not....

• IPL is not Coherent

• IPL is not Monochromatic

• IPL is not Collimated

• IPL is not Classified as a laser, but has effects similar to laser.

Laser light has three properties that make it different from ordinary light.....

• Laser light is Coherent

• Laser light is Monochromatic

• Laser light is Collimated

Intense Pulsed Light

• Intense Pulsed Light - 400-1200nm

Laser

• Ruby Laser - 694nm

• Alexandrite Laser - 755nm

• Diode Laser - 800nm

• Nd:YAG Laser - 1064nm

IPL Affinity with Melanin & Skin Penetration

• Encompasses a wide range of wave lengths in the electromagnetic spectrum from 500nm to 1200nm.

• Wider variety of hair colours can be treated

• Can treat a range of skin colours from 1-1V(using the Fitzpatrick Skin Colour/Type Classifications) successfully.

• Will penetrate to various depths so can treat a wider range of hair types.

Laser Affinity with Melanin & Skin Penetration

• Lasers at the lower end of the electromagnetic spectrum have MORE affinity with Melanin. for example, Ruby Laser.
• Lasers at the higher end of the electromagnetic spectrum have LESS affinity with Melanin. For example, Nd: Yag Laser.
• Lasers at the lower end of the electromagnetic spectrum have a shallower penetration into skin tissue.
• Lasers at the higher end of the electromagnetic spectrum have a deeper penetration into skin tissue

Depth of penetration by different lasers laser_intensepulsedlight Fabulous before and after photos on this page, please be patient while they load.