What is IPL?Intense Pulsed Light is a technology where light is converted into heat energy.
Treatments are like a very powerful camera flash lamp being held against your skin.
The selected light waves target melanin in brown spots and freckles, haemoglobin in broken or diffused blood vessels, protein molecules in acne bacteria and in collagen. IPL treats all conditions without disruption to the skin’s surface.
What is the difference between IPL and Laser?
Lasers have been used in surgery for years and IPL is an adaptation of the laser, more suited to the beauty industry. The biggest difference between laser and IPL, as far as treatment is concerned, is the coverage. The laser beam is very narrow, only covering a small spot at a time, while IPL coverage is several times the area, and therefore treatments are much quicker. The IPL applicator head is 7.5 square cm – one of the largest on the market.
Permanent Hair Reduction: How does it work?
Intense Pulsed Light targets the colour pigment (melanin) in the hair. Dark hairs on fair skin have the best and quickest results. Fairer hairs will require extra treatments.
The hair growth cycle:
Hair grows in a constant cycle: Firstly hairs are actively growing, then they become dormant (resting), and finally they loosen and shed, only to be replaced by more new, more actively growing hairs.
Only hair follicles in the active growth stage can be treated. This is why you need repeated sessions. Hair growth becomes sparser with each session. All treated hairs should shed within about two weeks.
How often will I need treatments?
A course of 5 to 10 treatments is usually required to treat hair at all stages of the
hair growth cycle, at 3 to 6 week intervals; this varies depending on hair type and colour, and the location being treated.
What happens at my appointment?
Consultation and Test Patch:
Your first appointment will be a comprehensive consultation to answer all your questions and to check that there are no contra-indications to IPL treatments, such as medications which cause photo-sensitivity, and to ascertain the degree of recent sun or UV exposure on the area to be treated.
A patch test will be applied and we must wait to see the outcome. Some conditions only require a few minutes wait, while others will require a separate appointment of up to 48 hours after the test patch.
All Treatments:
The treatment area is re-assessed, wiped with a mild antiseptic lotion to remove all traces of oils, etc., and ultrasound gel is then applied. Both the operator and the client wear glasses to protect their eyes from the bright flashes of light before treatment commences. The flash light lamp at the head of the hand piece is held against the client’s skin. The lamp is moved to cover the entire area, with a minimum of 2 seconds between each flash. Once the treatment is completed the gel is wiped off and a cooling gel applied, plus sun block where appropriate.
Hair to be treated needs to be shaved before your IPL treatment begins, because it is imperative that the light is targeted down the hair shaft to the bulb. We don’t want to treat (and heat) hairs on the skin’s surface. Please shave the hair yourself before you arrive for your appointment.
How will I look after the treatment?
Immediate Response:
In most cases there is no visible reaction and you would be expected to be able to return to work and resume your normal activities immediately after your
appointment. However, IPL causes heat in the target tissues; therefore it is quite acceptable for the area to be slightly reddened immediately after treatment, but this would normally dissipate within half an hour. It is possible for the skin to appear slightly red or swollen for a couple of hours and up to 24 hours. If a reaction is visible after 48 hours it is imperative to contact our clinic.
What do I need to do before the treatment?
Sun tan and fake tan:
You CANNOT be treated if you have had ultra violet (UV) exposure from the sun or sunbeds within the previous 4 to 6 weeks. Therefore prior to your treatments you must cover well with clothing, a hat and sun block.
Fake tans stain the outer skin cells and this colour will intensify the IPL heat at the surface of the skin, therefore we cannot treat with IPL for at least two weeks after a fake tan application.
Waxing, plucking, threading:
Allow the hair to grow just a little, ( 2 mm is enough) immediately prior to your treatment day. It is advisable to shave between appointments, as waxing or plucking would remove the hairs that we are hoping to target in your next session.
SHAVING DOES NOT CAUSE FUTURE HAIR GROWTH TO GROW MORE RAPIDLY OR TO BECOME COARSER. Only the actual shaved hairs will become coarser, but they will shed, and new growth will be normal.
Bleach or depilatory creams, AHA Creams, Glycolic or Salicylic Peels:
These products should not be used for at least one week before IPL treatments.
What's the After Care rules?
For 24 hours after each IPL treatment:
No sun exposure or UV exposure of sun beds,
Wear sun block with both UVA and UVB protection,
No depilatory, AHA, glycolic or salicylic creams,
No very hot baths or showers,
No heat treatments e.g. sauna,
No swimming in chlorinated pools or spa baths,
No deodorant – if underarms are treated,
No perfumes, highly perfumed soaps or lotions, etc.
The long term After Care:
Always wear a good sun block with both UVA and UVB protection.
Avoid excessive sun or UV exposure. Cover up and be sun-safe.