What is Intense Pulsed Light?

 

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. This energy is absorbed by the skin and converted into heat. The heat disables the hair follicle preventing it from growing. This intense pulsed light can therefore be used to provide safe and effective permanent hair reduction.

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.

Most IPLs produce a wide spectrum of light energy that can be harmful to the skin, and therefore require complex filters and cooling systems. As a result they are only suitable for use in salons by professional trained therapists. However the patented iPulse ‘square pulse’ technology only generates light energy of the correct type, which has allowed for the development of products that are just as effective but can safely be used in the home.

The history of light-based therapies

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, accidentally exposed his forearm to a laser beam and discovered that hair no longer grew where the laser had hit.

In the early nineties, Professor Clement was asked 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 achieved the first FDA (The US Department of Food & Drug Administration) clearances for laser-based hair removal, acne treatment and non-invasive wrinkle reduction...proving the technology both safe and effective.

 

More recently, Professor Clement joined forces with several world leaders in light sciences to create iPulse technology through CyDen. CyDen remain at the forefront of IPL technology; constantly developing new beauty and medical products under the brand name iPulse™.