What is IPL?

IPL, or intense pulse light, is a technology similar to laser. Instead of a single wavelength of light as with a laser, IPL uses a bright light in front of which filters are placed which filter out most wavelengths except those taken up by pigment and blood vessels, depending on the filter used. The light energy penetrates just below the skin’s surface, damaging either the melanin (skin pigment) or blood vessels. The body’s natural skin repair mechanisms then remove the damaged tissue and produce a smoother skin appearance.

Viora’s V20 IPL hair removal is used for any area of the skin which has unwanted hair, including the face, neck, chest, back, bikini area, underarms, arms and legs. This IPL procedure may be used in women and men, teenagers to older patients. The hair being treated must be pigmented, either brown or black. Since the laser targets pigment, blonde and gray hairs are not removed with the Viora IPL.

Because the IPL targets pigment, there is a possibility that the IPL will alter the pigment of the skin as well as remove the hair. For this reason, we test two to three small areas and wait one to two weeks to ensure that the patient has no change in the pigmentation of their skin. In addition, the Viora V20 has a special contact cooling hand piece which helps cool down the surrounding skin as it directs laser energy to the hair follicle.