What is IPL?
Intense Pulsed Light (abbreviated IPL) describes the use of intense pulses of non-coherent light distributed over a range of wavelengths; from 515nm to 1200nm. The technology utilizes specific wavelength ranges to target various chromophores in the skin. This enables effective treatment of a broad spectrum of conditions, including vascular and pigmented lesions, skin photoaging treatments and hair removal.
How IPL works?
A broad spectrum of light is transmitted through a transparent handpiece tip which is gently placed over the skin. Cut-off filters in the handpiece change the range of wavelengths, optimizing it for different applications and skin types. The light penetrates the tissue and is absorbed by either the relevant chromophores and damages them (blood chromophores when treating vascular lesions and melanin chromophores when treating pigmented lesions). The body's natural processes then clear the lesion debris, giving the skin a more even and youthful appearance.
What is a long pulsed Nd:YAG laser?
An Nd:YAG laser is a solid state laser capable of producing a near-infrared wavelength that penetrates deep into the skin and is readily absorbed by hemoglobin and melanin chromophores. The lasing medium of Nd:YAG (Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) is a man-made crystal (solid state) that is pumped by a high intensity lamp and placed into a resonator (a cavity capable of amplifying the power of the laser). By creating a variable long pulse duration and an appropriate spot size, it is possible to significantly heat deep skin tissues, such as large blood vessels and vascular lesions.
How does a long pulsed Nd:YAG laser work?
Nd:YAG laser energy is selectively absorbed by the deeper levels of the dermis and allows for treatment of deeper vascular lesions such as telangiectasias, hemangiomas and leg veins. The laser energy is delivered using long pulses which are converted into heat in the tissue. The heat impacts the vasculature of the lesions. In addition, the Nd:YAG Laser can treat at a more superficial level; by heating the subcutaneous skin (in a non-ablative manner) it stimulates neocollagenesis which improves the appearance of facial wrinkles.
What is a non ablative laser?
A non-ablative laser generates beams of coherent light using a very narrow range of wavelengths. The light beams selectively target and heat the water chromophore in the skin. As a result the temperature of the tissue rises which stimulates neocollagenesis. There are various forms of non-ablative lasers and they typically have a good water absorption mechanism that impacts the water chromophores but does not cause ablation. Fiber lasers are commonly used for non-ablative treatments. A fiber laser is an optical fiber that is “doped” with elements designed to generate a laser beam at the desired wavelength. Erbium Glass is a typical fiber laser used for this purpose.
How does a non ablative laser work?
The non-ablative laser uses a wavelength that does not cause the water in the tissue to evaporate (ablate) but rather the laser energy heats the tissue in a controlled manner. The rise in temperature stimulates neocollagenesis, a process in which new collagen is produced by the body. Collagen is a fibrous protein that is responsible for giving the skin its elasticity and suppleness. By producing new collagen the skin regains is youthful appearance.
Since the treatment does not involve tissue evaporation or ablation, treatment downtime is significantly reduced, which is also why it is preferred over ablative treatments by many patients.
Intense Pulsed Light (abbreviated IPL) describes the use of intense pulses of non-coherent light distributed over a range of wavelengths; from 515nm to 1200nm. The technology utilizes specific wavelength ranges to target various chromophores in the skin. This enables effective treatment of a broad spectrum of conditions, including vascular and pigmented lesions, skin photoaging treatments and hair removal.
How IPL works?
A broad spectrum of light is transmitted through a transparent handpiece tip which is gently placed over the skin. Cut-off filters in the handpiece change the range of wavelengths, optimizing it for different applications and skin types. The light penetrates the tissue and is absorbed by either the relevant chromophores and damages them (blood chromophores when treating vascular lesions and melanin chromophores when treating pigmented lesions). The body's natural processes then clear the lesion debris, giving the skin a more even and youthful appearance.
What is a long pulsed Nd:YAG laser?
An Nd:YAG laser is a solid state laser capable of producing a near-infrared wavelength that penetrates deep into the skin and is readily absorbed by hemoglobin and melanin chromophores. The lasing medium of Nd:YAG (Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) is a man-made crystal (solid state) that is pumped by a high intensity lamp and placed into a resonator (a cavity capable of amplifying the power of the laser). By creating a variable long pulse duration and an appropriate spot size, it is possible to significantly heat deep skin tissues, such as large blood vessels and vascular lesions.
How does a long pulsed Nd:YAG laser work?
Nd:YAG laser energy is selectively absorbed by the deeper levels of the dermis and allows for treatment of deeper vascular lesions such as telangiectasias, hemangiomas and leg veins. The laser energy is delivered using long pulses which are converted into heat in the tissue. The heat impacts the vasculature of the lesions. In addition, the Nd:YAG Laser can treat at a more superficial level; by heating the subcutaneous skin (in a non-ablative manner) it stimulates neocollagenesis which improves the appearance of facial wrinkles.
What is a non ablative laser?
A non-ablative laser generates beams of coherent light using a very narrow range of wavelengths. The light beams selectively target and heat the water chromophore in the skin. As a result the temperature of the tissue rises which stimulates neocollagenesis. There are various forms of non-ablative lasers and they typically have a good water absorption mechanism that impacts the water chromophores but does not cause ablation. Fiber lasers are commonly used for non-ablative treatments. A fiber laser is an optical fiber that is “doped” with elements designed to generate a laser beam at the desired wavelength. Erbium Glass is a typical fiber laser used for this purpose.
How does a non ablative laser work?
The non-ablative laser uses a wavelength that does not cause the water in the tissue to evaporate (ablate) but rather the laser energy heats the tissue in a controlled manner. The rise in temperature stimulates neocollagenesis, a process in which new collagen is produced by the body. Collagen is a fibrous protein that is responsible for giving the skin its elasticity and suppleness. By producing new collagen the skin regains is youthful appearance.
Since the treatment does not involve tissue evaporation or ablation, treatment downtime is significantly reduced, which is also why it is preferred over ablative treatments by many patients.
