Many women suffer from dense vegetation on different parts of the body, so they try to get rid of unwanted hair. Such procedures are expensive, so a photoepilator is in great demand among girls. This device allows you to painlessly get rid of excess hair on the body at home. What is a photoepilator? How does he work? Let's take a closer look in this review.
What is a photoepilator
This device cannot be called new, because it has been on the market for a long time and many women use it. Photoepilators are popular due to the ability to painlessly remove unwanted hair at home, with a lasting result, and this procedure is completely safe for health.
It has become possible to use a photoepilator at home relatively recently. Previously, photoepilators were only in beauty salons. They were cumbersome and expensive, so hair removal was not affordable for everyone. Home photoepilators are compact, but the result is the same. After use, the skin becomes smooth and you can forget about the problem - ingrown hairs.
Epilators are versatile and are suitable for all hair types, and there are models for dark hair only. And there are also models with a limited number of flash units and interchangeable photo lamps.
See also - How to use a laser epilator
The principle of operation of photoepilators
When buying this unit, a woman knows what result she will get when using it. But the principles of the photoepilator still remain a mystery. In fact, there is nothing complicated about it. The device is equipped with a special lamp that sends out a light pulse or flash. The power of the device is enough to warm up the hair follicle and destroy it. Hair follicles die from the received impulse, hair falls out and disappears forever.
Dark hair contains melanin, so it absorbs light and heat, and imparts an impulse to the root. The flash of light does not affect the skin - there is almost no melanin in it. If you use the photoepilator correctly, it is almost impossible to get burned by it.
Do not take photoepilators with a thermal energy value below 5 J / cm2. If this indicator is less, then in general, there will be no effect from the use of a photoepilator, if the energy is more, then there is a possibility of burning the skin. To avoid such consequences, it is necessary to carefully study the instructions before using.
The use of the device gradually reduces hair growth, and the duration of the result obtained is 2–8 years.
What are the photoepilation technologies
There are only 2 photoepilation technologies: IPL and Elos, each of which has both its disadvantages and advantages. Their principle of action on the hair follicle is similar, but there are fundamental differences that affect not only the operation of the photoepilator, but also the result obtained.
IPL technology
The IPL system was developed by the Israeli company Lumenis Ltd, which owns the patent for its creation and use.There are other labeling technologies, but they boil down to one thing: the creation and transmission of a light pulse.
Devices with IPL technology act on the hair, which is in the growth stage - about a third of all body hair. You can get smooth skin with regular use of the photoepilator for 6-8 months. The result will be pleasing for 2-3 years.
Understanding the principle of operation of IPL, it is possible to explain the presence of models in which the lamps are not removed - the number of flashes is limited here. For example, a photo epilator with a number of flashes of 50 thousand - 80 thousand is best suited for removing unwanted hair from the face or armpits. This is enough for about 12 months, and during this entire period, each follicle will be in the growth stage.
The IPL system is absolutely harmless for light or slightly tanned skin. To achieve the best results, you should apply an SPF 30+ sunscreen before using the photoepilator. At the end of the procedure, you can use a soothing gel.
It is also important to know that a month before photoepilation, you cannot use an electric epilator, wax or shugaring.
The disadvantage of IPL lies in the action of such aggregates exclusively on dark hair - light and fine hairs still remain. And also such a photoepilator cannot be used by owners of dark skin - this is fraught with consequences in the form of burns.
Elos technology
This technology can truly be called the peak of technical progress in cosmetology. It was also developed in Israel and combines a light pulse (similar to IPL) and bipolar current. Photoepilators with Elos technology work only from the network, their cost is much higher, and they resemble a portable station.
How does the photoepilator with Elos work? The principle is similar to the previous technology, but only the efficiency of the light pulse is complemented by the electrical one. Elos, unlike IPL, acts through two impulses on any hair. These epilators are suitable for all skin types.
Pros of Elos:
- Equally effective in removing hair of any type and color.
- Can be used on any skin, even very dark skin.
- Suitable for dry, sensitive and inflamed skin.
- Elos guarantees excellent results - you can forget about unwanted hair for several years.
Pros and cons of photoepilators
Each equipment has its own disadvantages and disadvantages. Photoepilators are no exception to this rule.
Benefits:
- The ability to carry out the procedure at home.
- You can use the photoepilator on any part of the body.
- Long-lasting painless hair removal.
- Affordable cost.
- The skin is not injured, and the installed filters protect against burns.
- Can be used at any time.
- The procedure takes no more than 20 minutes.
- Safety.
Minuses:
- Only expensive devices give the desired effect. Cheap models remove hair only on the surface, without penetrating the follicle.
- One session is not enough to get the maximum effect.
- May lead to hyperpigmentation.
- In some cases, peeling of the skin is possible.
Contraindications
The effectiveness and safety of photoepilators has been proven by both manufacturers and consumers. But everything must be remembered that there are a number of contraindications, so read the instruction manual before use.
Contraindications:
- Cannot be used if there is damage to the skin.
- Varicose veins.
- Pregnancy.
- Lactation.
- Oncology.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Diabetes.
- Infectious diseases.
- Cannot be used by people under 16 years old.
- Do not use photoepilation if other methods of hair removal have already been used on the treated area, including shaving.
- Cannot be used by people who have been in direct sunlight for a long time.
- Taking drugs and steroids that increase photosensitivity.
- The presence of a pacemaker and insulin pump.
- Allergy to sunlight.
Before buying, you need to read the instructions in order to understand whether it will be possible to carry out photoepilation specifically for you or not.
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