IPL LASER

IPL Skin Rejuvenation uses light therapy technology where pulsed wavelengths of light gently penetrate your skin. The broad spectrum of light is transmitted from an IPL system using a handpiece which is gently placed onto your skin in the area being targeted.

The light and heat energy is attracted to the darker pigments present in age spots, pigmentation, broken capillaries, collagen and elastin, or damaged hamoglobin in the case of vascular lesions. The light heats up the tissue triggering three different beneficial effects:

• The pulses of intense light will break up and scatter the pigment. This causes the pigmentation to shrink, and in most cases disappear.
• Broken capillaries can also be effectively treated. The light cauterises and coagulates the vessels and the visible appearance is dramatically reduced.
• Fine lines and wrinkles are improved. The heat promotes and boosts your natural production of collagen and elastin giving you firmer younger-looking skin.

The melanin, hameoglobin or bacteria that was targeted with the IPL are intentionally “damaged” in the IPL treatment process, and removed naturally by the body by either absorption or pushing the damaged tissue to the skin surface for exfoliation.

With your Skin Specialist being able to select a variety of wavelengths for your treatment, IPL can target specific issues. Because of the broad spectrum of the IPL light source they are unique, as opposed to lasers, in the ability to filter the light spectrum to target various chromophores in the skin and provide a wider range of aesthetic treatments.

IPL is similar to laser in that it delivers specifically targeted light energy to the skin. The light energy is taken up by specific parts of the skin (for example only red vessels), heating them to remove them. Lasers have only one very specific wavelength of light whereas IPL has a range of wavelengths. This is often an advantage of IPL as it can treat multiple elements (eg red vessels such as vascular lesions and brown age spots) at the same time.

IPL Systems DO NOT deliver UVA, UVB, UVC or radioactive light (like an x-ray).

• IPL Photorejuvenation is in the range 1200nm – 430nm (nanometres) – wavelengths above UVA, UVB and UVC
• UVA light is in the range; 400nm – 320nm;
• UVB light 320nm – 290nm;
• UVC light 290nm – 100nm and
• X-rays are 1nm.

In the diagram below you can see that different wavelengths travel different distances into the dermis and epidermis, therefore allowing us to target the area where the condition resides by selecting an appropriate filter that controls the nanometre wavelength to reach the specific depth within the skin where the condition we are treating resides.  Example;-

1. blemished skin conditions are found closer to the skin surface (epidermis) and so using a filter to deliver a wavelength between 400 – 490 nm (blue light) we can concentrate the light heat energy to the epidermis area specifically.
2. vascular lesions exist in the upper dermis area and as such a filter delivering the light heat energy between 530 and 560 nm is used to target the damaged haemoglobin tissue causing the visible capillary or vein
3. skin rejuvenation for anti aging relies on cellular stimulation, collagen and elastin regeneration. To achieve this the light energy must reach deeper into the base levels of the dermis, therefore we use a filter that delivers a wavelength between 570 – 590 nm to concentrate the light heat energy to that area specifically.

The body’s natural processes then remove the injured tissue giving the skin a more even tone and texture, and a more youthful appearance.

The answer is simple, you want to damage those skin cells to force your body to begin the process of healing and repair. The human body is remarkable in its ability to correct damage to skin cells and generate new ones to take the place of those too badly damaged to repair. Photo Rejuvenation procedures saturate specific components of your skin with damaging light heat in order to stimulate this natural process of rejuvenation.

This light helps to spur on the production of collagen, which will help to fill in lines and wrinkles or shallow scarring, while also reducing redness, discolouration, and spots.

The body’s natural processes then remove the injured tissue either by disposing of it through the body’s lymphatic system or forcing the damaged tissue to the surface of the skin where it appears as a micro-crust and will slough away, giving the skin a more even tone and texture, and a more youthful appearance which further improves as new skin is generated.

During any IPL treatment special protective eye-wear must be worn by both the patient and the clinician to protect the eye retina. A special cooling conductive gel will be applied to the area being treated. Topical gels may be applied on your skin to aid in the treatment.

The hand-piece has a chilled tip which also cools the skin during treatment reducing any discomfort as the pulses of light are passed evenly across the skin. Whilst the hand-piece passes over the skin, despite wearing protective eye-wear and probably even having your eyes shut tightly, you may be aware of each flashing pulse of light – particularly with treatments on the face. This can feel a little disconcerting but is completely safe and you will become less aware of the flashing as the treatment continues.

Clients can, if they wish, apply anaesthetic cream thirty (30) to forty five (45) minutes prior to the IPL treatment to further reduce any minor discomfort (anaesthetic creams must be purchased from a pharmacy by the client and applied by the client before arriving for the treatment), however this is rarely necessary – the sensation of IPL is no more than being gently flicked with an elastic band and dissipates immediately, much less painful than a waxing session.

NOTE: A consultation and patch test is required a minimum of 24 hours prior to commencing any IPL treatment so that our Skin Specialist can assess your skin suitability. The consultation process aside from the treatment takes approximately thirty (30) minutes and will include a test shot (referred to as a patch test) with the IPL hand-piece in the vicinity of where treatment is required.

Our Skin Specialist will select an appropriate sapphire filter for the IPL hand-piece so that only a selected range of short blasts of a polychromatic, high-intensity light can penetrate just below the skin’s surface, targeting specific chromaphores or structures such as haemoglobin (the red colour in your blood vessels) or melanin (the dark pigment in your hair and skin), dependent upon what is being targeted and treated.

For the best long term results, it is imperative after your treatment to follow the post treatment advice provided by our Clinician, report any concerns promptly and avoid unfiltered direct sun exposure.

The entire procedure is very quick, each treatment session taking between twenty (20) to thirty (30) minutes to complete, although the exact length will depend on what you are specifically treating, and its size or scope.

• Photorejuvenation – controlled pulses of light stimulate fibroblast cells that produce collagen and elastin to correct uneven skin tone and texture. This improves the irradiancy and tightness of the skin whilst controlling enlarged pores and promoting a smoother, more uniform complexion.
• Vascular Therapy – pulses of light shut down any unwanted vascular lesions such as rosacea or spider veins by constricting and shattering the targetted capillaries, which are then absorbed by the body and discarded, leaving little to no trace of the original lesion.
• Pigmentation Treatment – pulses of light are used to heat and shatter superficial pigmentation (melanin) such as sun damage, sun spots and freckles. The treated melanin is then absorbed into the body or pushed to the skin surface causing them to microcrust before being sloughed off during exfoliation and naturally falling away.

For the best long term results, it is imperative after your treatment to follow the post treatment advice provided by our Clinician, report any concerns promptly and avoid unfiltered direct sun exposure.

NOTE: A consultation and patch test is required a minimum of 24 hours prior to commencing your first IPL treatment so that our Skin Specialist can assess your skin suitability. The consultation process aside from the treatment takes approximately thirty (30) minutes and will include a test shot (referred to as a patch test) with the IPL hand-piece in the vicinity of where treatment is required.

When you visit our trained, experienced Skin Specialist we will undertake a thorough examination and analysis of your skin, as well as review your medical history including any recent or existing medications you are taking. The Consultation and Skin Analysis has a moderate charge of $60 which is fully redeemable on your first IPL Treatment. 

We will ask you to identify the problems you are having with your skin and discuss the changes that you would like to see in your skin. We will also discuss with you the anti aging and skin management benefits of IPL treatments and the benefits of these treatments for specific skin conditions.

If you are a suitable candidate for this type of procedure, we will discuss the most applicable treatment for the results you would like to see and provide you with a proposed treatment plan.

IPL skin rejuvenation technology works with a broad spectrum light which is attracted to pigment (colour). If your skin is darker, Fitzpatrick Scale V or VI, we can’t treat you with IPL as the light can be attracted to the skin instead of the target. Our Skin Specialist will advise you of other contraindications during the initial consult and on the resuts of your patch test. The ideal IPL patient is a client with fairer skin colour.

Those clients presenting with recent sun exposure are also unable to be treated with IPL until our Skin Specialist is satisfied IPL treatments will be unlikely to cause unwanted damage to the sun exposed skin.

Treatment completed, cooling conductive gel removed from your skin and you are ready to resume your daily routine, no downtime, no inconvenience. You will have an immediate ‘healthy glow’, similar to that produced by a vigorous workout! 

Immediately following your treatment you may feel “sunburnt” and the treated area may be red for several hours. There is redness and heat in the treated skin that disappears within 30 minutes. Clients who have pigmentation may notice the pigment darken immediately after the treatment. This is expected and part of the process.

For veins and lesions, the skin may look slightly redder after the treatment for two (2) to five (5) days. A quality mineral makeup can be used immediately after the treatment if required to camouflage any redness, and should be applied and removed as gently as possible. 

For freckles and age spots, the spots generally look darker for three (3) to seven (7) days. Micro-crusting can occur (this is the damaged tissue being expelled through the skin surface), which may last up to ten (10) days. The age spots will then begin to clear and will generally be invisible after one month. Remember, it takes an average of four (4) to eight (8) treatments to clear age spots and see enhanced anti aging skin rejuvenation.

Cooling gels such as refrigerated Aloe Vera gel or ice packs can be used if desired but are generally unnecessary. Clients are advised not to pluck or tweezer hairs from the treated area. Hairs within the treatment area should be allowed to shed naturally from within the follicle. Light shaving is permitted.

With IPL anti aging, pigmentation and vascular treatments, the redder or more pigmented your skin is to begin with, the more dramatic the change in your skin will be, both in the short and long term. It is quite normal for skin to appear redder for the first few days, and any pre-existing freckles or age spots will initially darken and take approx three (3) to seven (7) days to micro-crust or shed.

With IPL Rosacea treatments, as it is a skin condition and not a bacteria like acne, it is not unexpected that the redness subject of your complaint will disappear almost immediately. The skin will again feel tight and a warmness similar to a slight sunburn is usual. Ice packs and/or refrigerated Aloe Vera gel will calm any heat sensation which should last only one (1) day at most.

For the first five (5) days post any IPL skin treatment you should avoid using any active products (such as vitamin A or acid based products) you might have been previously applying.

Mineral makeup can be applied – gently – if required.

For all IPL treatments – exposure to the sun for long periods (10+ mins constant), for a total of four (4) weeks before and four (4) weeks after any IPL treatment must be avoided

Clients are advised to apply at least a 30+ SPF sunscreen if risking any sun exposure. Recent sun exposure or tanning may prevent our Clinician from administering IPL treatments to you and unprotected sun exposure after your treatments can place your skin at risk.

IPL skin treatments encourage your body to produce new collagen and elastin, effectively promoting a new surface skin layer….think of your new skin as that of a newly born baby, would you allow your newly born child to sit out in the sun without protection?

For the best long term results, it is imperative after your treatment to follow the post treatment advice provided by our Clinician, report any concerns promptly and avoid unfiltered direct sun exposure.

Some skin conditions such as veins and lesions may be noticeably lighter or have disappeared immediately after the treatment. For pigmentation it can take between one (1) and two (2) weeks for the damaged pigmentation to be absorbed or dispelled. 

After the treatment, your skin will feel smoother and have a more even tone. A gradual decrease in overall redness, flushing, age spots, and fine lines will be more visible after each treatment. Optimal results may take as long as three (3) months to be fully realised after the final treatment, but may continue to improve for another 12 months as the skin, collagen and elastin regenerate and improve the skin’s health.