32 The Green, Firs Court
Hardingstone, Northampton, NN4 6TB

IPL Hair Removal Sessions vs Courses

laser hair removalIf you are considering IPL or laser hair removal for the first time, you may be wondering why you really need a course of several sessions, as is generally recommended for best results.

First of all, it helps to understand first of all that both IPL and laser hair removal work when the hair is in its active growing phase. The energy-based treatments seek out pigmentation of hair colour within the skin, so there is relatively little impact (if any) when the hair is in its dormant phase.

Body hair growth cycle

Body hair grows in a cycle that includes 3 stages of growth and shedding:

  1. Anagen
    This is the active growing phase of the hair, where it grows around 1cm per month. Hair on the head will stay in this phase from 2-6 years, getting progressively longer; but hair on the body only grows for 30-45 days before it falls out, which is why the hair is much shorter on arms and legs. It is this point that the hair is most receptive to laser/IPL type treatments.
  2. Catagen
    This is a transitional stage where the hair stops growing and the root sheath shrinks onto the hair root. This phase lasts 2-3 weeks.
  3. Telogen
    The resting or dormant phase means that the hair follicle is completely inactive. This lasts for about 100 days for hairs on the scalp and is longer for body hair.

Hair is most receptive to laser or IPL hair removal while it is in the active ‘anagen’ growing phase.

That’s why a series of 6 sessions is required, in order to treat the maximum amount of hair at the peak point of the hair growth cycle, when it is most receptive to treatment.

Hair removal technology

The actual machine used to treat hair reduction also has a bearing on the result that can be expected.

It used to be the case that laser was considered the better technology, but Mulberry House Clinic have moved entirely to IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) technology, having invested in the latest systems.

A good, medical grade IPL machine can achieve noticeable results in just one session, as it destroys the follicle straightaway. This means that clients notice less hair growing after each successive treatment.

There is not always the case. Cheaper, less powerful systems such as those found in beauty clinics sometimes fail to destroy the follicle fully. They may impair it, so that hair grows back finer, but actually this can make the treatment more difficult in subsequent sessions.

Clinic founder and GP, Dr John Tanqueray explains:

“We commonly see people who are having or have had IPL for hair removal and still going after 12 or 16 treatments. We expect good results after 6 although some patients have excellent results after 4!”

Hair removal technician skills

As well as timing a series of treatments and investing in good equipment, the skill of the practitioner using the machine is very influential on results that clients experience.

There are no minimum requirements for training or qualification in order to practice laser or IPL hair removal, so practitioners’ credentials vary widely. Many lack a medical background.

At Mulberry House Clinic, laser hair removal is carried out by Liz Tanqueray, a former State Registered Nurse (SRN) with over 30 years experience. Liz is highly trained and experienced in hair removal and understands how to adjust the treatment settings and timing for each individual patient to get optimum hair reduction while ensuring each treatment is safe as well as effective.

For further information about laser hair removal, patients can book an initial appointment, which is the ideal opportunity to have an assessment and discuss what course of treatment and timing would be most suitable.

IPL HAIR REMOVAL

Mulberry House Clinic

Mulberry House Clinic was established in 2003 and offers an impressive array of the latest skin treatment technology as well as popular anti-ageing injections and laser hair removal.

For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please complete our contact form, call 01604 702630 or email: info@mulberryhouseclinic.co.uk.

Summary
IPL Hair Removal Sessions vs Courses
Article Name
IPL Hair Removal Sessions vs Courses
Description
Why you need a course of several IPL laser hair removal sessions for best results. Hair growth cycle, machine/technology and practitioner skill/experience.