Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

To understand how to get rid of hair, it is important to understand how hair grows. 

Hair growth is cyclical and begins with the growth cycle known as anagen. Anagen may last for two to seven years (the duration of this cycle determines the maximum hair length). The following anagen is catagen, a transition cycle that lasts for about 10 to 14 days. Telogen (the resting phase) follows catagen and lasts from two to four months. 

The most common areas for hair reduction in women are the upper lip, chin, cheeks, legs, armpits, and bikini area. Many factors, including genetics and hormones, control hair density in these areas. Some ethnic groups have increased hair density above the lip. Diseases such as polycystic ovary disease and certain medications may also stimulate excessive hair growth. 

IPL is a safe & effective way to get rid of unwanted hair. 

The principle underlying IPL hair removal is known as selective thermolysis and it refers to light energy that can target one colour or tissue without affecting another. 

When applied to hair reduction, IPL targets pigment at the base of the follicle to destroy the matrix stem cells. Most hair removal IPL&laser systems work well when used on light skin and dark hair. This combination allows energy from the laser to pass through the skin and get absorbed by the dark hair. 

When used on dark skin, the energy gets absorbed by the skin and may cause loss of pigment or scarring without affecting the hairs. 

 IPL is best & safest when used on the lighter sin types (Types 1-3 on the Fitzpatrick scale):

Type 1: always burns, never tans (pale, freckles).
Type 2: usually burns, minimal tanning.
Type 3: sometimes burns mildly, tans uniformly.
Type 4: burns minimally, always tans well (moderate brown).
Type 5: very rarely burns, tans very easily (dark brown).
Type 6: Never burns (deeply pigmented dark brown to darkest brown).

People with Rosacea have many facial thread veins which dilate in response to certain triggers (see above) and stay open for longer periods of time compared to non-Rosacea sufferers. These thread veins have weaker walls and therefore do not function properly.

Intense Pulsed Light treatment has been shown to be very effective in the treatment of Rosacea. It works by a process called photothermolysis. This light therapy selectively destroys the abnormal vessels (thread veins) that cause the Rosacea effect, allowing thicker walled micro vessels to be laid down.

Spider veins and thread veins are commonly found on the face and can develop in anyone at any age.

What are facial thread veins?
Facial thread veins are tiny blood vessels that run close to the skin surface. They appear when blood vessels become enlarged which cause the veins to appear broken. The proper medical term for them is telangiectasia.

What are the causes of facial thread veins?
There are lots of causes of facial thread veins including exposure to the sun, changes in weather, excess alcohol consumption, hormone changes, or they can simply be as a result of your genes. People with rosacea often suffer from facial thread veins as the skin is red and flushed.