What are lasers/ IPL/LHE machines and how do they work?
Lasers
A laser is a high-energy beam of light that can transfer its energy through the skin to a specific part of the body. These beams of light can vary in terms of their strength and the type of tissue that they can target. In the case of hair removal, pigment contained in the hair shaft can be targeted as can the hair follicle or root with a single specific wavelength (or colour) or light generated by the laser. This energy heats up the base of the hair follicle, which causes damage to the cells that produce hair growth. If enough damage is done, this will prevent the hair from growing any further (please see diagram below). The effect is most obvious during what is known as the anagen phase of hair growth. That is when new hairs start to grow. During this period of growth, the hair follicle has increased pigmentation and growth of new cells that makes it more open to damage from light treatment.Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense Pulsed Light systems are different from lasers in that they can deliver hundreds of wavelengths (or colours) in each burst of light. Certain filters are used that target these flashes of light so that they can work in as precise a way as lasers. Simply, the burst of light to the hair causes damage to the follicle in the same way as a laser.Light, Heat Energy (LHE)
LHE is a variation on the above, this time delivering both controlled levels of low level light and heat that can be used for hair removal.(published with permission in writing from:http://www.consultingroom.com)
