You should find this page answers many of the most commonly asked IPL questions. If you have a question that is not answered here please call 5532 0222 for more information.
Skin Rejuvenation FAQ's
- What is Skin Rejuvenation?
- Skin Rejuvenation using IPL, is a procedure that mildly injures the skin in order to initiate the natural wound healing process. Light is absorbed by water in the cells. The water heats up and causes a mild thermal reaction that activates fibroblasts. The result is the creation of new collagen and elastin fibre cells within connective tissues of the dermis. The overall effect of this mild skin "injury" creates an improvement in skin texture and smoothing of fine lines.
- What results should I expect with IPL Skin Rejuvenation?
- Post treatment the client experiences a mild sunburn-like sensation. This should disappear after 30 minutes to 3 hours. Instant cosmetic changes, the skin will appear radiant, refreshed and will show improved tone and texture making the skin appear more youthful and healthy looking. From a more clinical perspective, over a period of a couple of months wrinkles are smoothed as new collagen growth in the shrunken dermal layer develops. This has been shown to hold up over several years if stringent sun protection practices are followed.
- How often will I need IPL Skin Rejuvenation treatments?
- Typically skin rejuvenation is achieved following a course of 5 to 6 treatments 3 to 4 weeks apart. Further maintenance treatments may be required 1 to 2 times a year.
- Is the treatment safe?
- Yes, IPL is extremely safe in the hands of an experienced therapist. The IPL system is able to deliver light energy (or heat) to the skin and hair in a gentle way - unlike laser systems. The IPL therapist has at his / her disposal a seperate refrigerated cooling system used to cool the skin during any treatment, allowing for maximum penetrating and protection.
Hair Removal FAQ's
- What is IPL hair reduction?
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments offer a wide spectrum of multiple wavelengths of light energy, and thus are able to target, heat destroy and stimulate a number of different skin structures at the same time. By using a large spectrum multiple wavelength beam (unlike lasers that use just one wavelength) IPL is able to provide superior permanent hair follicle destruction while at the same time treating skin pigmentation, stimulating collagen regeneration and minimizing unsightly blood vessels.
- How does IPL work?
- When light is absorbed by pigment (melanin) deep in the hair follicles of your skin, it is converted to heat, which loosens the hair and disables the cells responsible for growing new hair. IPL is able to treat thousands of hair follicles at once.
- What does IPL hair removal feel like?
- Generally, there is a small amount of discomfort associated with IPL hair removal. It feels like a rubber band snapping on the skin associated with the feeling of heat. Any discomfort is reduced by the use of a cooling machine that is used in conjunction with the IPL.
- Can all hair colours and skin types be treated?
- IPL is attracted to melanin pigment deeply concentrated in the actively growing bulb of the hair follicle, where it is able to have maximum effect at long-term hair retardation and destruction. Blonde hair and light ginger or red hairs do not respond to IPL treatment due to the lack of melanin present. With our IPL hair removal system all skin types can be treated.
- Am I a suitable candidate for IPL hair removal?
- Most people are able to have IPL hair removal. Unsuitable candidates include those who are currently pregnant (breast-feeding does not preclude you from treatment), patients prone to skin discoloration, patients who want grey, white, or very fine hairs removed. Patients who have recently taken Roaccutane for acne need to wait at least 6 months after finishing their course of treatment to commence IPL hair removal.
- Possible Side Effects
- Redness of the skin and mild swelling that lasts from an hour to 24 hours. In rare instances the redness may last a few days and there could be some grazing or 'scabbing' which typically subsides over a short period of time. [Very Rare]
- How many treatments will be needed?
- IPL treatment impairs the growth of hair follicles when they are in the growth (or anagen) cycle at the time of treatment. Unfortunately, not all hair follicles are at this stage at the same time. Therefore, for effective permanent hair removal, most people require anywhere from 4 to 8 sessions at 4 to 6 weekly intervals, depending on the area treated.
- Are there are restrictions on treatments?
- IPL hair removal cannot be performed during pregnancy or lactation. Nor can it be done on recently sun-tanned or sun over-exposed skin. After treatment clients will need to avoid sun exposure and use a sun-blocking agent for several months. A full comprehensive consultation should be completed before undergoing any IPL hair removal treatments.
- Why does it take more than one treatment?
- At any given time a certain percentage of hairs will be in each of the three different growth
phases: Anagen (active growth), Catagen (Transition phase) or Telogen (Resting phase). There is
no visual means to determine how may hairs are in which stage. Therefore, several treatments are
recommended to attain overall long term results.
IPL is only effective in the Anagen phase of the hair cycle ; hairs in the other two phases could be partially damaged; micronization (reduction in size) of the bulb; the regrowth is thinner and lighter. This is why 6-8 treatments are required. Future maintenance treatments may be required 1-2 per year, as hairs in the Telogen (resting phase), may continue to grow at any time.
- How does IPL permanently reduce unwanted hair?
- The ultimate target is the hair root at the base of the follicle, but to effect long term hair
removal it is necessary to destroy the follicle, bulb, and bulge.
Because the hair shaft and the follicle are rich in melanin (color) it is the target Chromophores of choice for hair removal. This transforms into heat destroying the hair follicle and surrounding structures. The result is a permanent hair destruction.
- What results should I expect?
- You can expect to see a 10-20% reduction in hair growth after each treatment, approximately 85% total hair reduction following a course of 4-6. New hair growth is finer, blonder and barely visible, and eliminates potential ingrowns. Post treatment the client experiences a mild sunburn-like sensation disappearing after ½ - 3 hrs. Hyperpigmentation or discoloration may be a side effect, especially with darker skin types, but will self resolves within 6 months. Results vary depending on the growth phase, and personal circumstances.
- What does it feel like?
- You will feel a quick flick to the area, followed by a warm sensation. Immediately following the application we use a separate cooler to totally minimise any discomfort and look after the skin. After the treatment your skin may look slightly flushed and have a mild tenderness but should settle within a few hours.
- How often will I need treatments & how do I prepare?
- Typically a course consists of 6-8 treatment, scheduled 4-5 weeks. No waxing, depilatory creams, tweezering, sun tanning, tanning products or solariums for 2 weeks before and after, during treatment.
Acne FAQ's
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Vascular FAQ's
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Clients Who Are Not Suitable For IPL Treatments
- Pregnant or currently breastfeeding
- Have tanned, used solariums, tanning products (2 weeks)
- Have inflammatory skin conditions (except acne)
- Have a tattoo in the treatment area
- Use of Roacutane (12 months)
- Use of medications causing photosensitivity (6 months)
- Epilepsy
- Photosensitivity diseases such as Lupus
- Herpes in the treatment area
- Radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment (3 months)
- Used steroids
- Implants such as pacemaker, insulin pump etc
- Use of Retin A of AHA (2 weeks)
- Never to be treated over moles.
- Active infections.
- Not suitable for Fitzpatrick 6
