Adding an IPL Machine to Your Beauty Salon
Adding an IPL Machine to your beauty salon allows you to offer a wide range of treatment options. This is great for increasing bookings and client retention.
The best IPL devices have a skin tone sensor to ensure that they don’t flash on any unsafe skin shades. They also have power, gentle and precision modes.
Acne
Intense Pulsed Light is a great option for acne treatment because it can address inflammation, redness and discoloration as well as scarring. Unlike lasers, which have a single frequency of light, IPL has several wavelengths of light that penetrate to the deep layers of the skin where it can be effective at eliminating acne-causing bacteria as well as stimulating long term collagen production for more youthful skin.
During an IPL photofacial, your Nashville aesthetician will first apply a cooling gel to the surface of the skin to protect it. Then, the device is pressed against the skin and quick pulses of light are emitted. The procedure is comfortable and painless for most clients who report feeling something similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin.
IPL is also effective at reducing vascular blemishes such as spider veins. The strong pulses of filtered light are absorbed by the blood vessels that make up spider veins and are heated to the point where they are damaged, causing them to disappear into the body and leaving little to no trace of their former location.
IPL also has a significant impact on redness and hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage. The varying wavelengths of light reach into the deeper levels of the skin to eliminate acne-causing bacteria and trigger an immune response that helps reduce discoloration caused by sun exposure, pregnancy, hormonal contraceptives and melasma.
Hair Removal
When it comes to hair removal, IPL machines are a popular and IPL Machine effective option for those who wish to ditch the shaving and waxing routine. The short pulses of light emitted by the device target the pigment in the hair and disable its ability to grow. The results are long lasting and permanent, and the treatment is considerably less painful than waxing.
There are many IPL machines on the market, ranging from basic devices to high-end ones with more advanced features. When choosing an IPL machine for hair removal, make sure it has a clear instruction booklet and that you understand the device’s workings before operating. Also, ensure the device has a cord that can be extended if you are treating large areas of the body.
The Philips Lumea Prestige is a good choice as it has smart curved attachments that allow you to treat difficult areas like the bikini line and underarms, in addition to the legs. The device is also comfortable to use, and its ICE technology means it cools the skin during treatment. However, it is important to note that IPL only targets active hair follicles, so you may not be 100% hair free after just four treatments*. In fact, a minimum of 6 to 8 sessions are required for most people. Also, the treatment should be avoided if you have any skin conditions or medications that cause photo (light) sensitivity.
Pigmentation
IPL machines emit pulses of light that are absorbed by the pigment (which gives hair its color) in the hair follicle. This energy is converted to heat, causing a temporary disruption of the follicle and inhibiting its regrowth. Most clients require a series of monthly treatments to achieve optimal results.
In addition to reducing excess hair, IPL is effective at addressing pigmentation concerns and vascular conditions. IPL works by releasing flashes of intensely filtered light that target the melanin in freckles, sun spots and liver spots. The light is absorbed and heats the pigment, which IPL Machine then breaks down into smaller particles that are sloughed off by the body leaving little to no trace of the original spot.
The same technology is used to treat vascular blemishes such as red flushing (rosacea), thread veins and enlarged capillaries. The treatment releases powerful flashes of filtered light to reduce the appearance of these vascular conditions by targeting the blood vessels and raising their temperature to a point where they coagulate. They are then reabsorbed by the body and replaced with fibrous granulation tissue.
Adding an IPL machine to your beauty or spa business is one of the best investments you can make. Clients often prefer this type of treatment over more traditional methods such as waxing or shaving, which are not permanent and can be uncomfortable and time-consuming. Many clients also find that IPL treatments produce better, more consistent results than chemical peels and other laser-based therapies.
Sun Damage
As much as we all know the sun is important for vitamin D absorption and general vitality, overexposure can leave unwanted marks on the skin. These can include brown spots, blotchiness, redness and small facial veins (telangiectasia). IPL is the perfect treatment for addressing these areas of the skin because it’s non-ablative, meaning it doesn’t harm the outer layer of your complexion like a laser would.
Shamban explains that IPL’s light energy absorbs the pigment in your dark spots and freckles and destroys it, lightening those areas and making them less noticeable. It also targets those small blood vessels in the skin and, by heating them up microscopically, causes them to clot and stop bleeding. Over time, the body naturally eliminates these clots leaving your complexion with more even tone and texture.
It’s also a good option for treating large pores, redness and fine lines on the face and neck. The Lumenis Quantum IPL machine’s filters allow it to target specific wavelengths of light based on what skin concern is being treated. It’s worth noting that IPL isn’t suitable for medium to dark skin tones with a high amount of melanin because it could heat too much tissue and cause damage. However, it’s still a viable treatment for these darker complexions provided caution is taken with each session.
