Shaving, waxing, tweezing and hair removal creams have been replaced by hair removal in a flash. Ellipse uses short, safe burst of light emitted from a flash lamp to remove unwanted hair from all body sites minutes.

The Ellipse operator guides the light from the flash lamp to the treatment area. That unique Ellipse IPL system carefully filters this light into ways to ensure that only light with the correct characteristics (wavelength) is allowed to reach your skin.

Hair contains pigment (melanin) that absorbs the light and converts it into heat. The hair transmits this heat into the hair follicle, which is then destroyed and rendered and unable to produce new hair.

To ensure optimum light transmission to the hair, a thin layer of gel (similar to that used in ultrasound examinations) is applied to your skin before treatment. The operator then moves the hand-held applicator over the entire treatment area exactly one applicator width after flash of light.

As the treatment relies on the absorption of light in the hair pigment (melanin), the most efficient treatment is seen with dark hair. The lighter the skin, the more pronounced and distinction between hair and skin colour, making treatment easier. However, Ellipse has pre-programmed settings for different hair skin colours to adjust the energy output to your needs.

The glass prism within the Ellipse applicator that guides the light to the skin is 10mm by 48 mm, so a large number of hairs can be targeted in one flash of light. Treatment of the upper lip takes approximately 5 minutes, whereas a back or both legs take 60-120 minutes.

Tolerance of pain is very individual from person to person. No anaesthetics are required, and most people describe the sensation as similar to that of a rubber band snapping on to the skin. The skin can feel warm to hot depending on the individual.

The light used is completely safe, visible light. Potentially harmful wavelengths are removed by the unique Ellipse dual-mode filtering system.

It is important not to remove hair by plucking, tweezing, waxing or use of creams during the entire 4 weeks before the treatment. This ensures 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 (sun, solarium or self-tanning cream) before and during the treatment period. Otherwise your tanned skin will absorb more light which makes treatment less effective.

Generally, no post-treatment care is necessary. But people with very sensitive skin may benefit from using a soothing cream or Aloe Vera for a few weeks after treatment. It is also recommended to limit sun exposure and to use sunscreen (min SPF 30) for a few weeks following the treatment.

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 effectively be destroyed by the Ellipse treatment. That's why it is 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. Clinical studies have confirmed that at least 3 to 6 treatments are needed, and intervals between treatments are typically 1 to 3 months. 

Clinical trials documenting Ellipse safety and effectiveness are carried out by leading doctors prior to the release of the product. And it has been in daily use for over 15 years, with – uniquely – a 10 year follow-up study showing long lasting results. The results of these tests are then published in respected, referred medical journals. You are welcome to view the scientific papers on Candela website www.ellipse.com which is redirected to https://candelamedical.com/. The settings used for your treatment will be based on the settings recommended by the clinicians who carried out the clinical trials.

Please note Ellipse has been taken over by Candela Medical.