How does it work?

Two chemicals in the body – haemoglobin in the blood cells, and melanin in hair or pigment in the skin – absorb light of certain specific colours (wavelengths). By aiming a short but very powerful flash of light, it is possible to heat up one or both of these target chemicals required.

This model also treats a third natural chemical. Acne bacteria produce a chemical called protoporphyrin, that is sensitive to light. When protoporphrin is exposed to specific wavelengths of lights it reacts and causes damage to the bacteria that store it. The bacteria also absorb protoporphyrin, so that if a photosensitizer is added to the skin, it is absorbed by more bacteria, which die when exposed to the light.

What makes Ellipse I2PL+ unique?

There is another chemical in the skin that normally absorbs light, and transforms it to heat – water. Water is absorbed by most IPL Systems because of the light wavelengths it produced. This means that most systems heat up the water in the skin, making treatments uncomfortable.

Ellipse I2PL systems have a number of safety controls which make uniquely safe devices:

• Ellipse I2PL systems have a patented method – called Dual Mode Filtering – that removes water-heating wavelengths before they reach the skin. This means that treatments are typically more effective AND less painful. Some treatments, such as age spots or dyspigmentation need only a quarter of the energy compared to other systems.
• Square Pulse Technology ensures that all pulses of light are safe, delivering the correct energy throughout the entire pulse; many other systems have a light which flickers, going up and down in power.

Does treatment hurt?

Discomfort is a very individual experience, but hair removal and treatment of pigment and acne are really quite comfortable treatments. Treatment of blood vessels typically feels like a rubber band flicking the skin, followed by a feeling of gentle warmth.

Who can be treated?

Generally, most adults can be treated quickly and comfortably. There are a few medical conditions that may cause problems – diabetes (if it is severe enough to cause problems with wound-healing), haemophilia and other blood-clotting disorders, and conditions that make you sensitive to light. Pregnant women and patients with heart pacemakers are not treated. Patients taking medicines that increase sensitivity to the light, or that otherwise interfere with the treatment are similarly not treated. All this is explained as part of a pre-treatment interview to discover your suitability as a patient.

What can be treated?

• Hair Removal – Any area can be treated. Hair should be mid-blonde or darker.
• Diffuse Redness – A general redness of the face as if permanently blushing.
• Telangiectasias – Individual enlarged blood vessels, most often on the face.
• Spider Veins – A central red spot, with surrounding small vessels, on the face, torso or legs.
• Port Wine Stain. A birthmark that begins as a general red area, but becomes more blue with age.
• Cherry Angioma. A red spot that grows larger with time, often raised.
• Rosacea. Initially a general redness, usually on the face, that becomes more pronounced with time.
• Acne. This treats the symptoms, but acne may reappear later.
• Skin Texture. A general improvement in skin smoothness, and pore size.
• Wrinkles. Light wrinkles around the eye or mouth
• Sun-Damaged Skin. A combination of pigment problems and redness, on the face neck, chest hands
• Poikiloderma of Civatte. A combination of redness, brown pigmentation and area of loss of pigment coupled with thinner skin. Usually caused by suntan combined with perfume.
• Leg Telangiectasias. Vessels from 0.1mm to 3mm diameter.
• Venous Lakes. Permanent dark blue pooling of blood on the lips or ears.
• Scar Reduction. Reduces the size and normalises the appearance of the scar.