IPL Photoepilation
The FDA defines Permanent Hair Reduction as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime. The number of hairs re-growing must be stable over a time greater than the duration of the complete growth cycle of hair follicles, which varies from 4-12 months according to body location.
Permanent hair reduction does not necessarily imply the elimination of all hairs in the treatment area.
IPL is the most popular treatment for permanent hair reduction. IPL targets the melanin in the hair follicle, resulting in selective heating of the follicle to over 60°C, without thermal damage to the surrounding skin. Pulsed red light is sent through the skin and is then absorbed by the melanin of the hair follicles and transformed into heat. The temperature reached at the base of the hair is such that a coagulation of the papilla and sheath will occur, resulting in the final death of the hairs in the anagen phase (eliminated at 100%).
Only hairs in the Anagen (active growth) phase are pigmented, hence multiple treatments are required for the majority of the hairs to reach this phase during treatment time. Maximal hair reduction requires multiple treatment sessions (five to eight) with the treatment interval depending on the number of hairs in the Anagen phase in the treated area (generally 6-8 weeks).
Approximately 20-30% of the hair follicles will be destroyed after each treatment with the Anthelia IPL. A very clear reduction in hair growth is obvious after three treatment sessions.
Treatment with Anthelia is fast (large surface of contact), causes little pain and is effective.
The other hairs being in catagen or telogen phases will not be affected, thus will continue their cycle of growth. Thus several sessions are essential to arrive at a satisfactory result.
Blond & White Hair Reduction
The traditional process of IPL photoepilation can only be applied on black hairs. All other IPL machines can in no way function on the white or blond hairs, as they lack the melanin chromophore, so do not absorb the emitted light.
Another process was worked out and clinically tested by Eurofeedback in 2004 then patented in 2005. This process is protected by a world patent and is exclusively reserved to the users of the Eurofeedback machines such as Anthelia.