Lasers & intense pulsed light

Where as lasers emit a single beam of coherent light, IPL systems emit a non coherent broad spectrum or ‘white light’ which is filtered to selectively transmit just the wavelength(s) required for treatment.

Most machines are now fitted with cooling devices to assist the skin in cooling down during treatments. more info

IPL is the gold standard of photo rejuvenation. This FDA approved, patented technology provides dramatic results. Pelle Clinica Laser Clinic has invested in a top of the range, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) machine by Lumenis, offering the latest and highest quality in skin rejuvenation technology.

The machine is designed to release a high energy light source which can selectively target red veins, dark pigmentation, with out any damage to the surrounding area..

The light energy is absorbed naturally and, can act beneficially on pigmentation in the skin, or blood lesions such as thread veins. The energy is absorbed in a way that disperses the unwanted pigmentation and blood lesions utilising natural skin renewal processes.

In IPL treatments the skin is stimulated to increase the rate at which new skin is produced. The treatment also increases the production of collagen and elastin and is a non-invasive alternative to botox and fillers.

New light-based therapies for vein removal are becoming more popular as a safe and effective, non-invasive way to eradicating those unsightly problems.

Green light is used to treat pigment irregularities and yellow light is effective for treating vascular conditions. The problematic veins are simply reabsorbed by the skin over a few days. Sometimes there is an immediate reduction of the veins, but excellent results can be achieved with just a few sessions!!  

Most skin types are suitable for these treatments. The lighter the skin the more dramatic the results!

Skin rejuvenation using IPL is a non invasive treatment that treats a wide range of facial imperfections, safely and effectively such as broken capillaries benign brown pigment age spots & sun damage, mottled pigmentation, acne and uneven skin tones and reduces signs of aging.

Improve skin tone and texture, lift and hydrate skin and evens out pigmentation. Leaves skin firmer and smoother, reducing lines and wrinkles, brighter and fresher.

Treatments are performed over a period time to give you gentle and subtle changes to your complexion.

Hair reduction leaves your skin soft and smooth without the worry.

Why choose IPL for skin rejuvenation and hair reduction?

• Non invasive treatment

• Fast and efficient treatment process

• Treats a wide range of imperfections

• Reduces signs of aging

• Leaves skin softer and smoother

• Little to no down time

• Helps reduce lines and wrinkles

• Leaves your skin fresher and brighter

• Gentle and subtle treatments

The major feature of laser or intense pulsed light, is the ability to ‘selectively’ damage or disable a target such as blood, water, pigment, melanin, to treat a variety of conditions.

The way this happens is all to do with physics, but in simple terms lasers are built to emit a single wavelength of light from the electromagnetic spectrum and most lasers emit visible to near infra red light (approx 400- 760nm).

A CO2 laser for skin resurfacing can emit a wavelength of 10600nm (mid IR) which has no visible light.  This single wavelength of light can vary in colour depending on the wavelength chosen for a specific target or chromaphor, such as melanin or blood.

The light energy, being heat, is then absorbed by the target.

Here are some of the different types of Lasers typically used for aesthetic therapies.

Ruby lasers (694nm)

The ruby was the first laser ever demonstrated in 1960 and has remained in use since this time for tattoo removal and hair removal.

Argon (488, 514nm) and Krypton Lasers (531+nm)

Ophthalmology lasers

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) lasers (10,600)

Ablative Skin resurfacing

Alexandrite Lasers (755nm)

A very popular laser for hair removal. It specifically targets the melanin with in the hair follicle and penetrates deeper into the skin than the ruby laser.

Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm)

A near IR wavelength, this laser is typically used for hair removal.

Frequency Doubled Nd:YAG laser (532nm)

Is strongly absorbed by blood and pigmentation.

Erbium: YAG (2940nm)

This laser is Ideal for laser skin resurfacing

Diode laser (1450nm)

Acne, acne scarring, fine line & wrinkles

Dye lasers (400-1000nm)

There are many different applications for this laser, as the wave lengths can be changed to suit the condition being treated.

LASER is short for:

Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

IPL is short for:

Intense Pulsed Light

In 1960 that the first practical laser was built by Theodore Maiman, based on the earlier concepts and theories of Albert Einstein.

The first laser was made up of a ruby crystal and one of the first medical laser treatments was to ‘weld’ back a detached retina.

There are now many other different types of lasers for medical, scientific and industrial uses and lasers can be found everywhere, from your TV remote to a laser light show.

Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical and cosmetic procedures because of the benefits they offer over alternative treatments.

More recently, IPL systems have gained in popularity and are used in many similar applications to lasers, in particular, hair removal and skin rejuvenation.  

Although IPL systems are not classified in the same way as lasers they are covered under the same legislation introduced in 2000, The Care Standards Act, for the use of lasers in the private and voluntary sector.

The Health Care Commission is the responsible body, in the UK, for the registration and inspection of any facility that uses lasers or IPL systems.