IPL or Intense Pulse Light work on the same principles as lasers where light energy is absorbed into particular cells with colour (chromophores) in the skin. The light energy is converted to heat energy which causes damage to the specific target cells. IPL systems differ to lasers in that they deliver many wave lengths in each pulse of light instead of just one wave length. An IPL system will use filters to refine the energy output. This enhances penetration without using excessive energy levels and enables targetting of specific skin components that absorb light.

IPL devices can be shielded to restrict the wavelengths of light that emit. For example an IPL used to remove hair may have its wavelength clipped. The other ways of modifying the IPL treatment  is to modify the intensity of the light and the number of pulses that you fire within a short space of time, both the pulse length and the rest time between each pulse.

IPL therapy is a non-ablative resurfacing technique, meaning it targets the lower layers of skin without affecting the top layers of skin. The results are not as dramatic as ablative resurfacing where both the dermis and epidermis are damaged to produce a much more noticeable outcome. However the advantage of IPL therapy is its minimal downtime. An IPL patient can often have the procedure done in their lunch break and return to work immediately afterwards.

Contact Louise Gray now on (09) 528 9010 to find out if IPL is right for you!

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