Permanent hair reduction
Using the latest Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology from Palomar
Highly controlled flashes of intense pulsed light (IPL) are selectively absorbed by hair and radiates down the hair shaft killing the follicles lying below the surface of the skin. This absorbed light heats the hair and destroys the regrowth potential of the follicle, all without damaging the surrounding skin. The current hair producing follicles can be totally destroyed during the treatment but dormant follicles require further treatment. A series of up to 8 treatments are usually performed at 6 to 8 week intervals to reduce hair growth by approximately 75% - 85%. Each treatment is designed specifically for the individual client. The computer technology can adapt the treatment to a variety of hair and skin colours. The technology selects the most appropriate wavelength and pulse characteristics necessary unlike laser that can only use one wavelength and can only treat some skin types successfully. IPL is therefore able to deliver much higher levels of energy safely to the follicle than a laser.
Beneficial because it :
- Means no further need for shaving, tweezing, waxing or electrolysis
- Offers a gentle non invasive long lasting solution to unwanted hair on any part of the body
- Can reduce hair growth by approximately 75%-85% compared to 48% with laser treatment
- Reduces regrowth
- Causes minimal downtime – a classic “lunchtime” treatment – clients can return to work and resume normal activities immediately
What to do before treatment?
- There is no need to grow hair before treatment, it can be trimmed or cut as usual. Waxing and plucking should be avoided as this removes the hair from the follicle. Bleaching should also be avoided as it reduces the absorption of the pulsed light
What are treatments like?
- The area to be treated is covered with a cool gel and the pulsed light is transmitted through a glass prism
- Large areas can be treated with just one pulse making the treatment extremely fast
- Each pulse gives a slightly stinging, pinching sensation with minimum discomfort
How much time does it take?
The treatments are extremely fast and no local anaesthesia is required. Each pulse takes just a few seconds, for example, a top lip requires approximately 8 pulses that takes about 5 minutes to apply
Side Effects
These are very moderate making IPL hair reduction a very popular treatment
- Avoiding sun exposure and tanning, including fake tan, prior to treatment is essential
- Some slight reddening or localised swelling may occur at the site of treatment but this disappears within a few hours
What are the results?
Most of the surface hair will be wiped away when the gel is removed. Other hair will fall off during the next few days. Lighter coloured hair may take up to 2 weeks to disappear. IPL does not cause in-growing hair and is very successful at eradicating this.
Why Face & Eye?
- Our specialised oculoplastic nurses’ particular area of expertise is in treating the delicate skin around the eyes and on the face and are trained in the use of this equipment on these highly visible areas
- Our medical experts can also provide a comprehensive assessment of any underlying medical problems during your discussion of the available treatment options.
| Hair reduction main page click here |