 Flashlamps hair removal most painless way to hair
Added: 10/11/2005 |
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A flashlamp is also called IPL (intense pulsed light). Full spectrum (non-coherent) light and low-range infrared radiation are filtered to allow a specified range of wavelengths. This filtered light goes from a hand-piece into skin, that’s where it aims dark material such as pigments in hairs. This is projected to cause thermal or mechanical harm to hair follicle when sparing nearby tissues.
Xenon is commonly used as an intense pulsed light source because of the brilliant, full spectrum illumination it provides when exposed to energy. It can be designed to be extremely powerful like laser and has industrial applications, e.g. paint stripping. It is also used for such items as flashes in photographic equipment and in surgical lighting equipment.
The xenon flashlamp, first developed as an energy source for laser beams, was soon used therapeutically with direct applications of its energy. As with lasers, flashlamps began to be used for medical purposes in the 1960's. Early attempts to use xenon light energy delivered via fiberoptic filament in the 1970's have not proved the effect to be permanent. Although these devices are still in use, they should not be confused with the devices that became available 25 years later.
By the mid-1990's, researchers had explored the use of flashlamps hair removal for treating vascular lesions. Some papers posted promising results in the treatment of leg veins, prompting one manufacturer to apply for and receive FDA clearance for hair removal in 1997.
In 2000, FDA began to allow some brands to claim permanent hair reduction in most skin types. The darkest skin type was not included. There are limited clinical data, and even less with long-term follow-up for flashlamps hair removal. Two articles dealing with overlapping patient groups reported 54% to 64% reduction in 6 months. A later study by the same researchers observed 76% reduction immediately after the 4th treatment.
The study observed that 41% of subjects had an average 83% reduction at 12 months or more. One clinical report found satisfactory results at 6 months in 2 transsexuals who received 13 and 41 treatments respectively. Another clinical report, observed one patient, had successful removal of transplanted scalp hair grafts with a 1.5 year follow-up.
There are also many advantages and disadvantages of flashlamps hair removal. Study them and choose your own way of getting rid of unwanted hair. The list of advantages includes:
1) Some customers experienced long-term hair removal or permanent hair loss.
2) It is considered to be safe in case it’s done properly.
3) Very useful for big areas, for example, a back or legs.
4) Regrown hair can come back but it will be lighter in colorful or the texture will be finer.
5) Customers with light skin and dark hair will have the best results.
There are some disadvantages of flashlamps hair removal:
1) There is no long-standing information on safety and effectiveness.
2) There are no data about the response rates.
3) It is not very effective on unpigmented hair, red and blonde hair.
4) Must be applied very cautiously on darker skins or on consumers who have very tanned skin.
5) Indecent treatment might entail skin discoloration lasting several months, burns, or patchy re-growth of hair.
6) Needs eye protection.
7) Can be very expensive.
8) Some people find the treatment painful.
9) Regulations vary by states, so insufficient controls exist to certify competent practitioners.
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