Introduction

The most common methods of removing hair from the body have been by shaving, waxing, using depilatory creams or other mechanical epilating devices. Although these methods are effective, they tend to cause irritation, ingrown hairs, and in some cases scarring.

There are currently two FDA-approved methods of hair removal. The first is electro surgery which includes electrolysis. This technique also has the risk of ingrown hairs as well as infection and scarring. It can also be tedious as each hair follicle must be entered separately.

The Hair Removal Process

The most recently approved method for hair removal is one which involves the utilization of lasers and intense pulsed light sources. This includes the EpiLight^® System.

In order to understand the EpiLight^® process, you must also understand the anatomy of hair and its growth cycle. Human hairs are made up of three different parts: the bulb at the base of the hair follicle (which produces hair) , the shaft, and the hair itself. In order to remove unwanted hair, it is necessary to destroy the hair follicle and the growth centers that are in the bulb. The fact that hair follicles in different areas of the body reside at different depths makes reaching the bulb the most difficult task in hair removal.

The Hair Growth Cycle

The hair’s growth cycle is another factor which makes hair removal difficult. The cycle has three different phases: growth, dormant, and dying. At any given time the body’s hair follicles are in different stages of the cycle. The only way there can be a long-term removal of hair is if the hair is destroyed while in the growth phase. Because of this, multiple treatments are necessary for long-term hair removal.

The EpiLight^® System uses an intense pulsed light to effectively remove unwanted hair based on the principles of photo-epilation. The system emits a pulse of light which penetrates the skin down to the hair follicle. The light is then absorbed by the pigment in the hair, raising the temperature of the hair follicle high enough to damage the growth centers in the bulb without damaging the surrounding tissue. In order to damage the follicle as much as possible, the system allows the technician to adjust the pulse duration, which is the total amount of time the hair is exposed to the light pulse.

Unlike lasers which operate at a single wavelength, the EpiLight^® System offers a broad spectrum of wavelengths, which allows the system to penetrate the hair follicle and bulb at various depths. And since colors in the hair have peak absorption at different wavelengths, this broad spectrum of wavelengths also allows the system to treat different hair colors. The EpiLight® System also uses a large spot size, which allows the technician to target a larger area and minimizes the discomfort and amount of time spent in session.

To determine if you are a good candidate and the possible side effects of EpiLight®, please click here.