Does it hurt?

Most people tolerate treatment extremely well, experiencing only a sensation of warmth, or at the most, mild discomfort. Treatment times vary from five minutes to an hour, depending on the area and treatment type.

I have heard that some people get burnt with laser or IPL treatment…

The nurses that operate our laser and IPL machines are fully trained and certified in their use. When used by trained professionals side effects are kept to a minimum and these machines do not burn the skin.
We use an innovative IPL machine with a sapphire hand piece. Solid sapphire has inherent cooling properties, meaning that discomfort and side effects are kept to an absolute minimum without the need for messy gels during treatment. Cooling rollers are used before and after IPL treatments to further reduce any potential risk of side effects.

What preparation do I need to do?

It is important to avoid sun and sun bed exposure on the treated area for six weeks before and after each treatment. Using a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on the treated area is necessary if you are going in the sun.

What can I expect after treatment?

IPL is a safe treatment when used by trained professionals. Most people experience no after-effects at all, and you can go straight back to your normal routine. Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, and so you may experience mild redness and swelling.

How many treatments will I need?

For hair reduction the number of treatments varies depending on hair type and location. Unfortunately no treatment can offer permanent hair removal after one treatment alone due to the way hair grows in cycles. Usually five to eight treatments are necessary to achieve long-lasting results.
When treating pigmentation, the number of treatments needed ranges from just one or two for freckles and age spots and up to six for skin rejuvenation.

Do I need to let the hair grow in between treatments?

No. You can shave every day in between if you like and it will have no effect on the treatment. However, you can not use any hair removal methods that affect the hair colour or root, including waxing, plucking or bleaching as this will stop the treatments working so well. If you are thinking about starting a course of IPL hair removal it is a good idea to stop waxing or plucking that area for a 2-3 months before you start to achieve the best results.

My hair is quite blond; can I still have IPL hair removal?

Maybe. Our IPL machine can treat a wide range of hair types and colours. It works at its absolute best on dark hair and pale skin. Paler hair and darker skin colours can often get good results, but sometimes more treatments are necessary. If there is absolutely no pigment in the hair, if it is completely white, IPL is less likely to be successful. The nurse at your initial consultation will assess your skin and hair colour to give you an indication if IPL is likely to be suitable for you.

I am pregnant; can I have laser or IPL treatment?

No. We cannot treat pregnant women with laser or IPL. However, you can still have other treatments such as microdermabrasion, glycolic peels and most of the Jan Marini home skin care range.

I have had IPL before, but have got some hairs left – can you improve these?

Probably. Our IPL machine is one of the latest generation machines and has different filters, enabling the successful treatment of a wider range of skin and hair colours. Sometimes some dormant hair follicles can come to life years after IPL treatment; usually a couple of ‘top up’ treatments can resolve these.

I have polycystic ovary disease, causing coarse facial hair. Will IPL help me?

Probably. Polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) causes hormonal changes that can stimulate facial hair growth in women. Many women with PCOD have had really good results with IPL, but it is likely you will need more treatments than most due to the stronger influence of your hormones. Even before the final result is achieved, often the hair will become a lot softer and the stubble far less noticeable – making a huge difference to women’s confidence.