What is intense pulsed light? |
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Intense pulsed light (IPL) is the most advanced form of the popular range of light-based therapies, which began with laser treatments more than a decade ago.
IPLs deliver short, high intensity bursts of light energy. These are selectively absorbed by the target structures on the skin (like the hair shaft) and converted into heat, which induces the desired therapeutic effect (like disabling hair re-growth.)
This intense pulsed light can be used to provide safe and effective permanent hair reduction, removal of pigmented blemishes and thread veins and a variety of skin rejuvenation therapies. |
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The pulse of light is applied directly
through a cooling gel
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| Lasers can also offer these treatments. However they are very expensive, bulky and have more restricted applications. Different lasers are often required for different conditions but the latest IPLs are completely versatile. |
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The history of light-based therapies |
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The original discovery of the hair removal powers of light came about by accident. In 1979 the University of Wales’ laser physicist, Professor Marc Clement, inadvertently exposed his forearm to a laser beam and discovered that hair no longer grew in the exposed area.
Professor Clement was commissioned in the early nineties by the then Secretary of State for Health Kenneth Clark to develop a machine for effectively and comfortably treating skin conditions like port wine stains. Following this work he went on to develop the world’s first lasers for hair removal based on his earlier discovery and established a Swansea-based manufacturer of medical lasers. This company won the first FDA (The US Department of Food & Drug Administration) approvals for laser-based hair removal, acne treatment and non-invasive wrinkle reduction. |
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More recently, Professor Clement joined forces with several world leaders in light sciences to create iPulse technology through their company CyDen Ltd. The team includes Jan Simonsen, the Danish |
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| ‘Square pulse’ technology |
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iPulse technology solves this problem with unique circuitry that creates a constant input current of energy to the lamp—in a ‘square pulse’.
The perfect energy level is continuously generated and the spectral output is constant, so the most effective treatments are produced at far lower energy levels.
Square pulse technology makes iPulse-based systems easy to use as there are no complicated or costly filters required for the different treatments or skin types. |
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| founder of Bang & Olufsen’s little known but important medical device division. CyDen remain at the forefront of IPL technology; overcoming further aesthetic and medical challenges under the brand name iPulse |
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