IPL Hair Removal

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a cosmetic treatment that harnesses light to absorb melanin (hair and skin’s dark pigment) and haemoglobin (the red colour in blood vessels). The light converts to heat, damaging the targeted cells and leaving the skin’s surface undisturbed. IPL is a non-invasive treatment for removal of unwanted hair and skin conditions.

• Diffuse redness, rosacea and red scarring
• Unwanted dark facial and body hair
• Flat, benign pigmented lesions (freckles, sunspots and general pigmentation)
• Facial vascular lesions (spider veins, red spots and broken capillaries)
• Uneven skin colouring
• Poikiloderma (redness, pigmentation and a spotty look to the neck and/or décolletage)

**Results may vary from person to person**

• The treatments are performed by qualified Dermal Therapists. A Dermal Therapist has a nationally recognised qualification in advanced skin treatments and holds an IPL/ Laser Safety Officer certificate.
• We are a Certified Palomar and Lumenis M22 Provider
• We provide you with a comprehensive consultation so you can make an informed decision
• We perform necessary skin test patches – free!
• Our Dermal Therapists are also supervised and work under the guidance of doctors
• Your treatment outcome is important to us
   

IPL may be an unsuitable treatment for you for the following reasons:

IPL treatments do unfortunately bring some potential complications. At Academy Face and Body we perform test spots within the 3 days prior to full treatment. These trial patches allow an accurate evaluation of how your skin responds to IPL, significantly reducing the potential complications. Potential complications include:

• Most patients experience a mild sensation sunburn-like in nature that lasts 2 to 5 hours and is often accompanied by mild to moderate redness.
• After IPL for hair removal the skin may appear spotty, this inflammation is caused by the heat absorbed in the hair follicle and can last 2 to 24 hours.
• After treatment of vascular lesions they will either disappear immediately or appear grey or purplish in colour. Diffuse redness immediately appears a lot redder then gradually lightens within 2-3 weeks.
• After treatment of pigmented lesions the lesion will go darker, sometimes almost black, then will fall off within 7 to 28 days (depending on the area of the body) or gradually fade.
   

• Avoid exposure to the sun for 4 weeks prior to your IPL treatment.
• Use a broad spectrum SPF 30+ or 50+ daily.
• If having IPL for hair removal, do not wax, tweeze or pluck the hair for 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
• You may continue to shave or use depilatory creams.
• Do not use fake tan 2 weeks prior to your treatment.
• If you have a history of herpes close to the area being treated, it is recommended that you take antiviral medication available from any chemist before the treatment.
• The treatment site will need to be shaved before your laser hair removal session.
   

• Please protect you skin from the sun!
• A sunburn-like sensation is normal for 2-5 hours after an IPL procedure. Cold compresses or ice can be applied to ease any discomfort.
• Avoid very hot water in showers or baths for 2 days as your skin may be more temperature sensitive than normal.
• Do not exfoliate for 1 week post-treatment
• Do use the aftercare skin products advised by your therapist or doctor as your skin may be more sensitive.
• Do not pick blisters or skin crusting as this may lead to scarring
• If you have any questions or concerns, please call the practice

As a general rule, the lighter the skin, the more suitable for IPL treatment. The table below classifies skin according to melanin content and the skin’s reaction to the sun to determine how suitable your skin it for IPL.

IPL to remove vascular lesions or diffuse redness achieves the best results when the vessels are progressively destroyed without damaging the surrounding skin. The way to achieve such a result is with 3-4 treatments performed at weekly intervals with the best result seen after the last treatment.

The duration of hair in the anagen phase is unique to each individual and will differ depending on the region of the body. The length of time hair spends in anagen is the determining factor on the ideal time between IPL sessions.

• For 2-4 weeks after a treatment the hair will appear to grow slowly. This is not new growth but is the treated hair being pushed out of the follicle and will fall out. Hair that doesn’t fall out at this stage was either too fine, too light, too deep or untreated.
• Following hair falling out you can expect a hair-free period for 3-6 weeks.
• The percentage of new growth (of hair from follicles not in anagen at the time of treatment) will decrease with each session.
• Between IPL treatments, new growth can be shaved but not waxed or tweezed.

Avoiding the use of exfoliating products for 3-5 days after treatment and applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily is important. We recommend the following regime: