Page 187 - Chapter 3 - An Introduction to Laser/IPL Hair Removal

Chapter 3 – Fundamentals of Laser/IPL Hair Removal 1st Edition
Advantages and Benefits of IPLs over Lasers
Do IPLs have any advantages over lasers? Well, in fact, yes, they do:
With IPLs :
Choice of fluence & pulse duration determines the temperatures inside the tissue; Choice of pre-cooling parameters determines the skin protective cooling.
IPL Systems Lasers
Wavelength
Typically range from 400 nm to 1400 nm - a broadband absorption across the melanin spectrum. Can be filtered to select just those wavelengths required for particular applications.
Typically only one or two specific wavelengths – no ability to change them at all.
To treat a wide range of skin conditions it is normal to use two or more lasers.
Pulse duration
Long pulse durations are required to ensure complete destruction of hair follicles or blood vessels. IPLs may deliver from 5ms up to 200 ms. Careful selection of pulse durations can destroy target tissues without damaging surrounding structures.
Many lasers are limited to relatively short pulse durations – typically less than 1 ms. This can be increased by rapid pulsing but such pulses leave long gaps between pulses which reduce their effectiveness.
Skin cooling
Many IPL systems have ‘Integrated Contact Cooling’ which ensures skin surface cooling during each pulse. This improves overall clinical efficiency and reduces epidermal damage.
Most lasers cannot incorporate ICC – they usually use cold air or gels which are not as efficient in protecting the epidermis.
While some IPL systems are Maintenance complex units they tend to be
much easier and cheaper to maintain than lasers.
Lasers are not nearly as robust as IPLs and are much more prone to accidental damage.
In practical terms lasers and IPLs can be used to treat a wide range of skin conditions. In some cases lasers are better while in other cases IPLs are better. The choice comes down to
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