IPL treatment (Intense pulsed light) uses elevated pulsation of light to make better the facade of several skin problems. Also known as flashlamp therapy, this method is used to improve skin conditions caused from sun damage. Skin problems such as acne Rosacea, broken capillaries and pigmented birth marks can take advantage of IPL treatment.

IPL treatment can also be used to treat wrinkles, spots, unwanted hair. Plus, IPL is also effective in minimising or removing age spots, varicose veins, freckles, and sun damage. When it comes to hair removal, IPL is deemed helpful to lessen or remove hair on the face, neck, chest, underarms, legs, back, or bikini line.

Concerning this, IPL has become popular in Singapore that some of the best IPL hair removal salons in the country apply the said treatment. All of these aesthetic salons in Singapore provide the best services, but they all vary in terms of the price, so one must seek expert help in finding the right clinic for one’s needs.

How IPL Works

IPL has the similar theory and system with lasers whereby light energy is aimed to specific target cells of the skin. The light energy is then translated into heat energy to the targeted area which may result in damage. However, IPL differs in the sense that many wavelengths are delivered in each pulse of light unlike lasers which delivers just one wavelength. Filters in IPL systems are often used to refine the energy output to improve the access of wavelengths without using extreme energy levels and this allows the target of specific chromophores.

The IPL equipment creates short durations of light pulses so that it does not cause much uneasiness and damage to non-target. Most people experience minor irritation parallel to a slight sunburn but sometimes blisters may take place. As men’s body hair is normally thicker than the fairer gender, men may experience more discomfort compared to women. The tool’s settings and intensity are factors contributing to the amount of pain experienced although the pain will dispel quickly. The chest and face area can be sensitive areas and may be prove to be more uncomfortable than other treated areas. The IPL wand stems light that refines ultraviolet components so one does not need to worry about UV skin damage.

Side-Effects of IPL Treatment

IPL is focused on the direct surface of the skin but this will not lead to the damage of the epidermis but penetrating further into the skin will harm hair germ cells. This resurfacing technique is not as serious as ablative resurfacing technique where both the top and the lower layers of skin are injured to generate a more prominent outcome. The benefit of IPL is that it can be done any time at short durations and one can immediately resume to work and daily activities without taking time off.

All treatments have its side effects and IPL too has consequences. Some of them include hair loss, pain during treatments, skin changing to a shade of pink and experiencing a little soreness after the procedure.

Sometimes one may feel the sensation of getting mild sunburn that last a few days where redness and peeling are involved. When the skin pigment take in too much light energy, blisters and bruises too can take place or when the pigment cells are damaged it will leave patches of darker or paler skin which are seldom long lasting.

Alternative Methods to IPL

While lasers are effective to treat more precise hair follicles and executing less skin damage, it might tend to be more expensive. This is why IPL stays popular as a more affordable version.  Nevertheless, here are some of the best alternatives to IPL in removing unwanted hair, spots, and lines.

• Laser Treatment

Compare to IPL, lasers only utilises a single, focused wavelength to remove wrinkles, sun damage, and other spots. There are different types of layers, depending on the level of skin surface they target. Ablative treatment occurs when the top layer of the skin is removed, whereas if heating is focused on the underlying tissue without causing damage to the top layer, it’s termed as non-ablative.

• Fraxel Laser Treatment

This is a non-ablative treatment that treats parts of the skin in an ablative manner. This type of laser is used to treat sun damage, lines, acne scars, and wrinkles. After undergoing the treatment, the skin regenerates itself. However, it requires several treatments to achieve desired results, and it costs around one thousand dollars per session.

• Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion uses an abrasive device to sand off the skin’s top layer gently. It is utilised to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Similar to the Fraxel treatment, this method also needs several sessions to see improvements. However, the results are usually temporary, and the average cost for each session amounts to 138 dollars.