IPL Hair Reduction

What is IPL Hair Reduction?

A light wave is diffused on the skin, and – once absorbed – is converted into heat to destroy hair follicles. This technology – called photoepilation – is much less painful than some lasers or other hair removal techniques.

Treatment origins

The first treatment devices appeared on the market in 1999. In Quebec, the technology appeared in 2003. The American company Palomar – who had previously developed laser hair removal with iodine – abandoned the laser production to develop the pulsed light. Their Starlux machine (http://www.palomarmedical.com/products/starlux.aspx), approved by Health Canada, is used to treat our customers .

What distinguishes this method from others?

Compared to waxing or shaving, pulsed light hair removal allows very good results in a short period of time; usually within a few months rather than many years. Moreover, this form of photoepilation presents little risk of burns if the client follows the guidelines.

Can we treat all types of hair?

This technique works on almost every hair color, except for the very light ones like white and red. Chin, upper lip, cheeks, legs, arms, armpits and back can be treated, as well as sensitive areas like ears, nose, chest and bikini line. However, it is impossible to treat eyebrows.

Is IPL hair reduction painful?

When the light comes out of the machine, a rubber band pinch sensation can be perceived. An anesthetic cream can be applied to the skin if desired, but is not required in most cases. We suggest not to use it because it can delay the treatment. You can go back to your normal activities the same day. However, you should avoid sun exposure and heat.

How many treatments are needed?

The number of treatments depends on the skin, the hair color, the costumer’s hair reduction history and the treated area. It usually takes between 10 and 12 treatments for women and from 12 to 15 treatments for men to get the final results; only growing hair are affected by the light (hair grows cyclically: growth-rest). However, you can shave between treatments. It is very important to know that the success of the treatment depends on the regularity with which the customer schedules his appointments. When beginning this type of treatment, you must respect the interval of time between sessions and the guidelines given by the technician.

LIST OF PRECAUTIONS

Contraindications

Taking Accutane over the past twelve months. Non-intact skin : wounds, psoriasis, eczema, infection, eruption. We wait until the skin heals before treating. Mechanical or chemical peels in the last month, laying under the sun or in a tanning bed. Very important: 1 month before and after the treatment, the use of SPF 60 sunscreen or higher is required.

Precautions

(We treat clients with extreme caution if they present one of the following risk factors.) Photosensitizing drugs (see the list of photosensitizing drugs.) Impaired healing (due to diabetes or recent chemotherapy or radiotherapy). If the skin is tanned after  the first evaluation, it is likely that we will delay treatment.

Possible side effects

Slight temporary discomfort caused by treatment, can cause transient hyperpigmentation (resorbing more easily with bleach).

Treatment schedule (approximate)

Average number of treatments is eight (8). This data is a statistical average. A higher or lower number of treatments may be necessary in some cases to achieve satisfactory results. Please note that the laser sessions are beauty treatments and are not refundable.

Medication

Photosensitizers

• Antiacne
• Isotretinoin (Accutane)
• Tretinoin (Retin-A)

Antidepressants

• Amitriptyline (And other elavil) Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• Amoxapine (And other asendin) Maprotiline (Ludiomil and other)
• Clomipramine (Anafranil) Nortriptyline (And other aventyl)
• Desipramine (And other Norpramin) Phenelzine (Nardil)
• Doxepin (And other Adapine) Protriptyline (Vivactil)
• Imipramine (And other Tafranil) Trazodone (Desyrel and other)
• Trimipramine (Surmontil)

And more.