Articles
Skin deep
Intense pulsed light (IPL) is used for photo-rejuvenation, pigmentation correction and hair removal. In photo-rejuvenation the light energy is transformed into heat energy. This can remodel and tighten collagen, a building block of skin. With time, skin appears fuller and tighter. Pigmented or coloured lesions preferentially absorb more light energy. The pigment cells fracture, which is then removed by natural body processes. A similar process applies to fine broken capillaries and vascular marks.
The depth of penetration is affected by the wave length of light. Long or red wave lengths penetrate deeper and spare the upper tissue. Short of blue wave lengths treat the upper layers. The pulses of light are short and, therefore, the adjacent tissue is not damaged.
Hair removal
For hair removal, the light energy is converted into heat energy, which damages the hair bulb (root), hair shaft, hair producing papilla and possibly even the supplying blood capillaries. A hair cycle varies between growth and rest phases. At any one time, about 30% of hair is in an active growth phase. This is the phase that is most susceptible to treatment. This also explains the need for subsequent treatments. Usually four to six treatments are required and it depends on the hair and skin type and characteristics.
Filters on the IPL machines remove harmful ultra-violet radiation. The relative effectiveness of IPL and laser hair removal is debated. It is generally considered that they are comparable in effectiveness.
Tattoo removal
Tattoos may be cosmetic, decorative or traumatic. All three place pigmented particles in the skin. Cosmetic tattoos are used to add colour to eyebrows, eyelash lines and lips. Decorative tattoos are obtained at tattoo parlours. Traumatic tattoos occur when impurities, grit or dirt is incorporated into a wound.
The downside of tattoo removal is scarring. Previously, tattoos were excised (cut out), dermabraded or chemically removed.
Lasers are an acceptable method of treatment. Different types my be needed for different colours of pigment. The light energy breaks the tattoo pigment into smaller particles that are removed by the body. Fading of the tattoo occurs over time.
Professional, highly coloured tattoos require more treatments. These usually require four to six treatments at six-weekly intervals. Colour groups are blue-black, red-purple and yellow-green.
Traumatic tattoos can be more difficult to remove as particles may be of variable sizes and at variable depths within the skin.
Risks include scarring and also lightening of the surrounding skin. Laser tattoo removal is generally very well-tolerated.
Veins
Telangiectatic veins are also known as spider veins, venous spiders, sunburst veins, venous blemishes and vanity veins. Considered unsightly, these small veins may also cause aching, throbbing and a burning sensation. Vessels less than 1mm are usually red or blue/purple in colour.
Small veins are suitable for treatment with lasers and light sources. Ideally, the vessels should be smaller than a 30gauge needle. The other indication is for the veins to be in areas that are difficult to treat with injections.
Larger veins can be injected and the veins are then compressed. The substances injected cause inflammation with the veins. Compressing the veins cases the walls to stick together, obliterating the veins. In this treatment the compression is vitally important.
In people with extensive or varicose veins it is important to exclude underlying incompetence or leaking of the larger venous systems. These larger veins may require surgery.