Ellipse IPL is Superior
Laser facial rejuvenation is a highly sought out procedure for a variety of skin care goals. Whether you are looking to improve the look of your complexion or treat certain skin conditions we have the solution for you. Our Ellipse Selective Waveband Technology system treats the following conditions.
- Vascular lesions
- Rosacea
- Acne
- Sun damaged skin
- Pigmented lesions
- Scars
- Stretch marks
- Wrinkle reduction
- Age spots
- Spider veins
There is some confusion about the differences between intense pulsed light (IPL) and lasers for treatment of various skin conditions and removing unwanted hair. While both can be used to address the same issues, it comes down to the accuracy of the delivered light wavelengths. We use the Ellipse® Selective Waveband Technology (SWT) IPL system because its superior ability to allocate the desired wavelengths makes for better results with the less pain for our patients.
The Ellipse® SWT IPL system is effective for treating spider veins; removing unwanted hair; repairing sun damage on the face, neck, and hands; treating acne; and addressing pigmentation problems such as rosacea and even port wine stains. All of these conditions can be treated with more comfort, less downtime, and at a lower cost than with lasers or older IPL systems.
The right wavelength is the key
The better the accuracy of the light wavelength, the less damage to surrounding tissue, and the more comfortable the procedure. Why is this? To be effective, the light wavelength needs to correspond directly to the color spectrum in the target, whether the target is a hair or the melanin in a sunspot. Plus, different wavelengths have different penetration depths into the skin. The Ellipse system allows us to select the waveband of light for the correct penetration depth and optimal absorption by the hemoglobin or melanin in the target.
No infrared damage
The Ellipse® SWT technology has another benefit. The raw light from older IPL flash lamps includes invisible ultraviolet and infrared light, as well as visible white light. Filters block the UV light, but not the infrared. This infrared light isn’t absorbed by the target melanin and hemoglobin but instead by the fluid between cells, causing heating. This is why with these IPL systems the handpiece must include a cooling function for the skin.
In the Ellipse® SWT system dual filters block these UV AND infrared lightwaves, so it doesn’t require cooling, making it more comfortable, with fewer possible side effects and no skin burning.
With the Ellipse SWT IPL we can precisely dial in desired wavelengths. Better accuracy means better results with less pain for our patients. With these treatments topical anesthetic is not necessary and immediately after your treatment session you can return back to your normal activities.
How does the IPL work its magic?
Once we decide the correct wavelengths needed to treat the melanin and hemoglobin in your target area, the Ellipse IPL sends a pulse of light at 70°C for one millisecond. This selectively destroys the target, leaving the surrounding skin and fluids in the skin unharmed. In a spider vein, for instance, the light energy converts to heat and is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the vein wall, causing the vein to close off and eventually be absorbed by the body. In hair removal, the light converts to heat, traveling down the length of the hair and damaging the follicle, preventing or significantly inhibiting future hair growth.
What conditions can the Ellipse SWT IPL system treat?
We use the Ellipse SWT system for a wide variety of skin issues:
- Hair removal on any part of the body
- Wrinkle reduction
- Age spots
- Spider veins
- Port wine stains
- Rosacea
- Acne vulgaris
How long do treatment sessions last?
An Ellipse SWT IPL session lasts from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the area being treated and the issue being addressed. Hair removal requires multiple treatments because each hair can be in a different phase of the growth cycle. Removing most skin blemishes usually requires only a single treatment. Spider vein removal depends on the site and size of the vein, needing from one to four treatments.
With these treatments patients don’t need any topical anesthetic and there isn’t any recovery time. Patients don’t have to deal with the pain or burns that can be a part of aggressive laser treatments. That’s the beauty of the Ellipse SWT system’s accuracy. Immediately after your treatment session, you can get right back to your normal activities.