Laser and IPL hair removal; what is thedifference? It is a common question asked by clients and by therapists wanting to invest in this technology for their clinic, or simply how do we know if we need to upgrade to laser hair removal?
The director of the IPL & Laser Training Academy, Heather Thompson has been treating clients, and is still working inher clinic, since the first hair removal laser, the Ruby laser, came into NZ 30 years ago, that’s how much she understands hair removal. We understand a clinic owner and therapists requirements, and we pass on our knowledge to help you achieve the best results for your clients.
Heather has also just become and advisor to the Health and Disabilities Commission in relation to laser or IPL treatments that have gone wrong. Her experience and knowledge will be used to try to prevent further accidents from occurring.
At the IPL & Laser Training Academy the Certificate in hair removal you are trained in both technologies using our favoured and trusted devices from Formatk.
Based in Tauranga the newly opened purpose designed education facility has a separate open plan theory room able to have theory classes of approx 12 with practical classes limited to 2 – 4 students for maximum student support and safety. It is about feeling secure to perform as many treatments as possible to for a therapist to gain confidence.
Lasers commonly for hair removal include Diode laser at 808nm, Alexandrite laser wavelengths at 755nm and 1064nm wavelengths from the long pulse Nd Yag laser. IPL for hair removal commonly use 610nm, 640nm and 690nm It seems pretty obvious to us, without any understanding of what these numbers mean how do you know what to buy and use in your clinic? And yes it can be confusing. Your training with us looks at thesewavelengths and the science behind it all. Each of these wavelengths have particular advantages and disadvantages when it comes to hair removal.
Perhaps first we need to look at the terminology – permanent hair removal or hair reduction? It can be a mine field, but to me after 30years, we need to be specific with our choice of words. Is hair removal permanent? Yes BUT we cant say 100 % permanent loss of hair. That means that when a hair can no longer be grown from a follicle – its gone for good. We have achieved enough damage to the stem cells responsible for anagen that we get no more hair. But some hairs don’t completely die and wesee finer slower growing hairs. That’s normal. In most situations its not 100%loss of hair. Reduction can be used to explain this also, as in permanent reduction. Which ever you use is correct as long as you know what you are talking about.
Everyone of our courses focus on theory first. Full international standard documentation and safety standards are the beginning of a students learning. The theory of light specific to our industry is explained in ways that make the science easier to understand. Other theory topics include risk and hazard assessment, as well as skin type assessment crucial to all light based treatments. We look at the differences between laser and IPL and the benefits and drawbacks for each. It is not as simple as one being stronger than the other.
We cover both laser and IPL wavelengths specific for hair and skin treatments as well as tattoo removal, target chromophores, skin science, hair growth cycles and time frames for hair removal/reduction treatments, the skin Fitzpatrick, tissue interactions and contraindications and ….
Our certificates are issued based on the therapist being able to perform all treatments. the second major emphasis in our training is practical experience. We spend whole days covering all common treatments that we see in our clinics. As an owner of a skin and laser clinic, having been in the clinic environment for 30 years now, Heather is passionate about sharing her knowledge experience on how to treat clients; the first step for students is to get over the fear of using either the IPL or the laser system. How to hold the applicator, how to position yourself and the client, how to look for the correct skin response. All of these things you can not learn on line or through theory alone.
Does your IPL or laser give you detailed treatment protocols with specific settings and energies to use to give you the results, not a range of energies that may or may not work. Its both dangerous to guess at a setting and scary for a therapist.
You would never buy a car without learning to drive would you? So please invest in your knowledge to help you make the right decision. Learn what is safe, understand the technology, who is supporting you after the sale? Has your supplier even performed treatments? Who is servicing your system are they in NZ or do you have to wait until the company overseas get a few clinics to make the trip worthwhile.
