At The Sanctuary Spa in Tralee, County Kerry we offer a full range of hair removal treatments, which are applied by our experienced and qualified therapists.
Hair Removal with Ellipse Flex
Put an end to the slow, messy and painful methods of hair removal.
Clinically proven, safe and effective
Ellipse IPL hair removal treatment offers clinically-proven, safe and effective long-term removal of unwanted hair.
Excess hair may be the result of medical conditions, but the pressure to remove it may be cosmetic. Excellent hair clearance is obtained after only 4-6 treatments and clinical long term studies have proven that 77% hair is still away after 10 years.
The Ellipse System uses safe, visible light emitted from a flash-lamp to remove unwanted hair from all body sites in minutes.
Before and After Images
How does the Ellipse treatment work?
To achieve long lasting or permanent hair removal, it is necessary to destroy the hair follicle from which individual hairs grow. Controlled pulses of light penetrate the epidermis and are absorbed by melanin in the hair contained in the follicle.
Melanin converts the light energy into heat. This heat is transferred to the hair follicle, which is destroyed, making it unable to produce a new hair. Hair in the resting (telogen stage) are treated later. The treatment is only effective on growing hairs as these are still attached to the follicle.
This technique is called “Selective Photothermolysis”.
Can all hairs be treated?
As the treatment relies on absorption of light in the hair pigment, melanin, the most efficient treatment is seen with dark hair. The lighter the skin the more effective the separation is between hair and skin colour making treatment easier. However, the unique software of the Ellipse System has pre-programmed settings for different hair- and skin colours that adjust the energy output accordingly.
How long does an Ellipse treatment take?
The glass prism of the Ellipse applicator which guides the light to the skin is 1cm 5cm so a large number of hairs are targeted in one flash of light. A facial treatment takes around 20 min. whereas a back or both legs take 60-120 min.
Does it hurt?
No anaesthetics are required and most people describe the sensation as similar to that of a rubber band snapping onto the skin.
Do I need to take special precautions before and after treatment?
The light is completely safe, visible light so no special precautions are needed. However, it is important not to remove hair by epilation or waxing 4 weeks before treatment to ensure that as many hair follicles as possible contain a hair and thus can be destroyed by the light. Since tanning takes place by accumulation of pigment (melanin) in the skin it is also important to avoid tanning before and during the treatment sessions. Otherwise the skin will also absorb the heat which makes treatment less effective.
Generally no post-treatment is necessary but people with very sensitive skin may benefit from using a soothing cream for a few days. It is also recommended to limit sun exposure and to use sun screen (SPF 50) for a few weeks following treatment.
How many Ellipse treatment do I need?
Hair growth is cyclical as hair follicles go through resting and growing phases. Only follicles in the growth phase contain hair and are destroyed by the heat. Resting hair follicles need to enter the growth phase before they can be destroyed by the Ellipse treatment. It is, therefore, necessary to repeat the treatment at intervals until all hair follicles have been through the growth phase.
The length and timing of the growth cycles are affected by numerous factors such as body site, hair density, thickness, ethnic origin, hormonal status and age. Usually 3-6 treatments are needed and the intervals between treatments are typically 1-3 months.