Pre-treatment care
It's important that before receiving the IPL treatment you follow the recommended guidelines on the area to be treated 30 days before treatment.
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Do not use sunbeds and do not sunbathe
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Do not use self-tanning creams
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Do not wax, thread or tweeze hair from the treatment areas
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Do not have electrolysis on the area
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Do not use depilatory creams and do not bleach hair on the treatment area
After-treatment care
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Limit your sun exposure as much as possible subsequent to treatment.
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Use a high SPF factor sunscreen 30 when exposed to the sun between / and after treatments.
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Cool any areas which remain warm after treatment with cooling aloe vera gels, cold compresses or frozen gel packs.
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Do not wax or tweeze treatment site between hair removal treatments.
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Avoid extremely hot baths, whirlpools, saunas, or heavily chlorinated swimming pools for 12 – 24 hours subsequent to treatments.
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Avoid strong deodorants subsequent to hair reduction treatment of the underarms for 24hr.
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Avoid vigorous exercise for 12 – 24 hours subsequent to treatments.
How does it work?
Light is absorbed by the melanin (the pigment in the hair follicle). The light energy heats the pigment and effectively destroys the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding cell. The laser is placed on the skin and a short pulse of light is released, which target many follicles simultaneously. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area of the skin and the process is repeated until the entire area is covered.
A course of laser treatments is usually required at 4-8 weekly intervals to follow the hair growth cycle. Treatment will leave your skin feeling smooth, soft and free from painful in-growing hairs.
Am I suitable for treatment?
Most people are suitable for treatment. Best results are seen with people who have lighter skin and darker hair. Dark hair is more easily treated as it has a high concentration of Melanin. Fair hair however contains less Melanin so is harder to treat. Grey/white hair has no Melanin so is not suitable for treatment.
How does the treatment feel?
Treatment sensation varies but is often described as a 'flick of an elastic band'. No anaesthetic is required and most clients describe the discomforts as moderate and tolerable.
What will I see after treatment?
The hair follicles are damaged by the heat but the hairs remain in the follicles. The dead hairs shed after 1 to 3 weeks as the epidermis renews. During this period the hairs will seem to grow as they are pushed out by the new epidermis.
Are there any side effects?
The skin may be red immediately after treatment and the hair follicles may be swollen and raised but this usually subsides within a few hours. Adverse reactions are rare but may include a small blister or temporary lightening or darkening of the skin.
How many treatments are necessary?
Only hair that is actively growing is affected, therefore multiple treatments are needed. Treatments are conducted every 4 to 8 weeks depending on the area being treated, until a good result is seen. The number of treatments varies, although typically 6 treatments or more are needed for optimum results.
How long does treatment take?
Treatments can take as little as 10 minutes and up to 3 hours (for full body), depending upon the size of the area being treated.