IPL epilation works on the principle of selectivephotothermolysis – light radiation of incoherent wavelength,sensitive to the hair pigment – melanin, is produced. The lightbeam penetrates to the root of the hair (follicle), reacts with itspigment and with the change of the light radiation to thermal energy,the hair root is heated to an extremely high temperature, ultimatelydestroying it.

Sincehair pass through certain growth cycles during their life, for asuccessful epilation result the hair must be hit during its activegrowth phase (anagen), when it contains the most pigments. The number– the percentage of roots (follicles) in the active phase isdifferent on different parts of the body and to a certain extent isindividual. The other roots in the given part of the body are in theresting (telogenic) phase. Roots in the resting phase will eventuallywake up and hair will start to grow from them. Therefore,sufficiently long pauses between the individual epilation treatments,depending directly on the length of the resting phase on the givenpart of the body, are necessary for the maximum amount of hair toenter into the active phase and to darken and be destroyed by the IPLlight beam. In general, the best time to repeat the procedure is whenthe hair starts to grow again. This phase of root growth (sleeping atthe time of previous epilation) occurs 3 – 8 weeks after theprevious procedure.

Untannedskin is suitable for laser epilation. Parts of the body that may beexposed to direct or even indirect sunlight should be protected usinga lotion with a higher protection factor (50). The hairs must not beepilated with a razor or any other method that pulls the hair out(minimally 6 weeks before the procedure). However, the hairs can beshaved with a razor blade or trimmed with scissors.

Onaverage, epilation needs to be repeated 3-5 times, at 3 – 8 weekintervals. Any information about the results of permanent epilationafter one or two procedures cannot be true or objective. In a lowpercentage of cases, depending on the individual characteristics ofthe skin and hair, the number of epilation repetitions required maybe lower or higher than average. In the majority of cases, laserepilation is accompanied by a mild skin reaction after the procedure.The mild skin irritation may persist for several hours or up toseveral days. After the procedure, sunbathing is not recommended forat least 2–3 weeks. It is also important to use a lotion with ahigh protection factor on the epilated parts of the body.

IPL epilation removes unwanted hair permanently.However, due to the physiology of hair (see above) and many otherfactors that affect hair growth (hormonal instability, endocrinedisorders, gynaecological diseases...) the results (in a very lowpercentage of cases) may not correlate exactly with the theory. Thedesired result is a permanent reduction of unwanted hair, i.e. apermanent reduction in the number of hairs in a given area and achange in their quality to fine, light hairs, which the clientalready perceives as aesthetically harmless.

Co-indications– when epilation cannot be used

Noabsolute contraindications (reasons) for not epilating are known.However, care must be taken in the following cases:

• in people who are developing hypertrophic andkeloid scars
• in cases of active or frequent occurrence of aherpes infection in the epilated area
• 6 weeks after using epilation methods in which theroot of the hair is plucked out (waxing, wiped with tweezers,plucking)
• 6 months after total use of natural or syntheticvitamin A derivatives
• retinoids (ISOTRETINOIN, ROACCUTAN – used totreat acne)
• in case of topical use of retinoids (RETIN A) orbleaching agents: hydroquinone (stopping 2 weeks before the procedureis sufficient)
• It is also not recommended to take products with ahigh beta carotene content in the few months before the procedure
• we do not recommend laser hair removal duringpregnancy

In addition to IPL epilation, we at DermaCenteralso perform the classic technique of removing unwanted hair, namely,using wax.