How needle epilation works
Needle epilation is a relatively old method. It was developed in the USA in the second half of the 19th century. The idea behind it is to remove hair by applying electric currents. The procedure involved is relatively complicated: First, a wafer-thin steel needle is carefully inserted into the hair follicle. You can imagine the follicle as a small canal in which the hair and, at the very bottom, the hair root are stuck. After the needle has been inserted precisely into the follicle and has penetrated down to the hair root, a light electric current is applied to this needle and conducted directly into the hair follicle. The electrical energy is converted into heat (the needle becomes hot), destroying the hair follicle and damaging the surrounding hair growth cells. If the application is successful, no new hair can grow from this hair follicle.
Three variations of needle epilation
To achieve this effect, needle epilation works with three different treatment variants: Thermolysis, electrolysis and a combination of both procedures. While in thermolysis the hair root is sclerosed by the correct dosage of heat and in the electrolytic variant the correctly adjusted intensity of the electric current is decisive, the sclerosis of the hair root in the so-called blend method is achieved by the correct combination of both forms of energy.
Needle epilation – rather inefficient
This sounds rather complicated and in fact the treatment method of electro-epilation is unfortunately not very efficient. First of all, only one hair can be treated at a time. One can well imagine how long a session for hair removal with needle epilation can take. Moreover, this procedure is relatively unpleasant for the patient. Unfortunately, the electrical current can sometimes cause severe skin reactions and side effects. To make matters worse, the hair roots are often not precisely targeted, so that the treatment is only partially successful.
IPL – the gentle alternative
The differences between this electrical procedure and the modern forms of treatment with light energy are enormous. Fortunately, the technology today is much more advanced and can offer very efficient and at the same time gentle procedures – such as IPL. With IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), not only individual hair roots are treated, as with needle epilation, but with the IPL hand apparatus one is able to treat a larger skin area at the same time. The light wave spectrum of an IPL treatment is individually adjusted to the respective skin and hair type of the patient and the characteristics of the hair to be treated.
Needle epilation and IPL in comparison
IPL technology works with a broadband light spectrum that can simultaneously treat and permanently depilate entire skin regions. In comparison with needle epilation, it is clear that needle epilation takes significantly longer, as each hair root has to be treated individually with a probe. In addition, many patients find the electric stimulation current quite unpleasant. It is not uncommon for it to lead to severe irritation of the treated skin regions. Last but not least, needle epilation is more expensive for the customer than IPL treatment because needle epilation is more time-consuming and has to be repeated several times to achieve a similar effect as IPL treatment.
IPL – the perfect solution
So there are many disadvantages, which at the same time are further clear arguments for an IPL treatment. IPL is relatively painless for the patient, fast and thorough. The costs are significantly lower than with needle epilation, and after only a few treatments the treated body region is absolutely hairless for a long time.
BellaDerma has been working successfully for many years in all areas of medical-cosmetic skin and hair treatments and naturally also offers several individual solutions for permanent laser hair removal. We will be happy to advise you in a non-binding information session. Get in touch with us. Call us or send us an email to arrange a non-binding consultation appointment with our experts. We look forward to meeting you.
