LASER IPL SKIN REJUVENATION

IPL is intense pulse light. It is characterised as a beam of light which targets the melanin in the shaft of the hair. The beam of light converts energy to heat and disables the hair follicular cells that are responsible for hair growth. Intense pulsed light (known by patients as IPL laser but can be confused with a laser) systems release precisely controlled strong pulses of filtered light that are absorbed by melanin, the pigment in the hair. This heats the hair and destroys the cells responsible for hair growth, to achieve long-term hair reduction. There are a lot of machines marketed as “IPL” machines on the market but the majority of these do not utilise the trademark technology of IPL and work on other theories and therefore do not have the same consistent results.

You will be asked to put on goggles (stick-on laser eye shields may be used for facial rejuvenation treatments) to protect your eyes. A layer of chilled gel is applied to the area to guide the light into the skin. The area will also be cooled to increase comfort during treatment. The light guide is placed on the skin and a short pulse of light is released, targeting many follicles simultaneously. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area of skin and the process is repeated until the entire area is treated. The chilled gel is removed and the area moisturised.

After treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sun block – SPF 50 or above. Skin Plus Beauty / Natural Beauty Spot recommends a reflective SPF. In the first few days after treatment, don’t scrub or rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleaners; don’t use Vitamin A or glycolic acid products on the area for approx. 48 hours. The Therapist will also advise you of any additional precautions and you will be given a post-IPL care sheet.

Almost any area of the body can be treated and the most common areas we treat are the legs, back, back of the neck, upper lip, chin, underarms, stomach, bikini line, face, chest, etc.

While you may feel a slight tingling or pinch (similar to the snap of a rubber band) from the IPL hand piece, most people tolerate the procedure very well. Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, and you may choose to have a topical anaesthetic applied to increase comfort during the procedure. Patients with thicker and darker hair may feel the tingling sensation more.

We can treat some areas within 15 minutes. Others, such as the back or legs, may require 30–60 minutes. Our experienced IPL Therapist can advise you of the approximate required time for treatment.

The ideal patient is fair-skinned with dark hair, but there is much evidence to show that through carefully researched settings, results can be achieved for different hair and skin types.

Yes, we offer patients a consultation where our Therapists will go through treatment options and results. A patch test can be done as well if the Therapist thinks it is warranted (for example, if the skin is a Fitzpatrick 3 or above).

Before any treatment, we will provide a full consultation. The consultation identifies your expectations and provides a complete explanation of the treatment. A medical history is taken to confirm suitability for treatment and, if you wish to proceed, written informed consent is obtained.