Posts Tagged ‘Intense Pulsed Light’
Radio frequency is not the same as laser, however it is often used in conjunction with laser treatments in a clinical setting. Radio frequency (RF) usually refers to oscillations in electrical circuits. Aesthetic treatments use non-ablative (RF) energy in short intense pulses that oscillate through the skin to heat targeted tissue. Radio frequency (RF) is often used to tighten the skin. The (RF) energy penetrates the skin and stimulates the contraction of collagen and the production of new collagen for skin tightening.
[ Read more about Laser technology ]
Radio frequency devices use a variety of delivery systems and penatrate to varying depths. Radio frequency can be monopolar or bipolar. Bipolar devices are often combined with other types of technology such as infrared light.
Monopolar vs Bipolar
Monopolar
For the purpose of aesthetic treatments Monopolar radiofrequency is delivered by applying a single electrode to the treated area and an opposing electrode that is relatively far removed so that the current goes deeply through the body. Unipolar (RF) penetrates deeper and more intensely than bipolar( RF). Thermage uses monopolar radiofrequency (RF) energy to tighten and contour skin.
Bipolar
For the purpose of aesthetic treatments bipolar radiofrequency is delivered by applying two closely positioned electrodes to the treated area. The electric current travels from one electrode through the tissue and back up to the other electrode, the current that goes between the electrodes is small and shallow. As a result, the tissue in the treated area is heated less deeply and less intensely than monopolar (RF). In aesthetic treatments bipolar RF is usually combined with light or energy based sources, including lasers, intense pulsed light, infrared light, or vacuum assisted. Infrared light heats the tissue down to the deep dermis and acts to “pre-heat” tissue, for improved (RF) penatration.
Bipolar Radiofrequency used with Laser and IPL
Unlike laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) energy, radio frequency is not absorbed by a specific chromophore. When RF is combined with other energy sources such as lasers and IPL, the laser or IPL energy will be absorbed by the targeted chromophore (melanin or hemoglobin), resulting in an increased temperature in the target areas. The increases in tempeture lowers the tissue impedance to those areas and the RF energy will stream preferentially to the warmer areas with lowered impedance. Elōs is the first and only technology that simultaneously harnesses the power of bi-polar radio frequency (RF) and optical energy.
The ReFirme™ ST procedure combines safe and effective levels of infrared light and bipolar radiofrequency energies to remodel the dermal layer of the skin by stimulating new collagen growth.
Bipolar Radiofrequency(RF) used with Suction
Bipolar radiofrequency can also be combined with negative pressure ( suction), to help improve and control the absorption of the RF energy. The tissue is suctioned into the hand-piece and the RF energy passes through. The Aluma uses a vacuum-assisted and bipolar radio-frequency (RF) handpiece for skin tightening methods.
VelaShape uses a combination of Infrared light, bi-polar radio frequency (RF) and negative pressure (suction) to heat deep adipose (fat) tissue. Infrared light, tissue mobilization, and suction, all work synergistically with RF to reduce cellulite.
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Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is used in photo-rejuvenation for the skin and hair removal treatments. Broad Band Light (BBL) is essentially the same thing as IPL and is used in the same way. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is not actually a laser. IPL emits a non coherent, broad spectrum light, rather than a monochromatic single wavelength like a laser. Basically lasers have one wavelength ( for example: 800nm) with a very specific target, and IPL uses a wide spectrum of wavelengths at the same time (for example: 500nm — 1200nm) that can target any chromophore in that range. You can think of the laser like a sniper that can precisely hit a single target with one shot, and IPL is like a grenade that hits several targets at once.
IPL uses special filters that block unwanted wavelengths. The filters can be changed to “cut off” the shorter wavelengths. The appropriate filter will depend on the depth of the intended target.
intense pulsed light
The cut off for the wavelength at the deeper end is predetermined, but can vary with each devise.
For example: Lumenis One has a wavelength of 515 – 1200nm,
and has 7 filters: 515, 560, 590,615, 640,695, and 755.
The 515 filter would block out wavelengths above and below 515nm – 1200nm, while the 560 filter would block out wavelengths above and below 560 -1200nm. The deeper wavelength, in this case 1200nm remains the same, while the “cut-off” filter can be changed to block out specific shorter wavelengths.
Each devises may use different wavelengths.
Sciton BBl: 420 -1400nm
Lumenis One: 515-1200nm
iPulse 1200: 530 – 1200nm
LimeLight: 520 – 1100nm
E-Light: 470-980nm
Cynergy XPL: 560 -950nm
[ Read more about Aesthetic Lasers ]
SELECTIVE TARGET
IPL is well absorbed by chromophores that have color such as melanin, hemoglobin. The concentration of a specific chromophore peaks at different depths in the skin. The filter used in treatment is decided based on the depth of a desired target and the color of skin. A deeper cut off filter would be used for hair removal, while a shallow filter would be used when treating vascular issues such as rosacea. It is important to remember that IPL targets color in the skin, so tanning must be avoided before treatment. Patients with darker skin should seek treatment from someone experienced in treating their skin type, to avoid complications. IPL treatments can provide beautiful results, but can also cause serious burns. It is the patients responsibility to choose an experienced professional, be honest about sun exposure and follow all pre and post treatment instructions.
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www.bestofbothworldsaz.com
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