IPL CONPACKAGES

6 FOR THE PRICE OF 5

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PHOTOSENSITIZING MEDICATIONS

We cannot treat anyone who has known or reported the following unless a letter from your GP is available confirming that the medical condition(s) will not prevent treatment using intense pulsed light:

• Tanned skin (active tan) through sun exposure or tanning bed use in the previous 30 days (because of increased risk of hyper pigmentation). However, we are able to IPL dark skin types. If you would like to have an IPL treatment, you get quicker results the lighter the skin, so avoid tanning or even spray tanning on that area.

• IPL Hair Removal -Waxing, plucking, ‘sugaring’ or ‘threading’ depilation treatment of the area in the previous 4 – 6 weeks (because the follicle has been removed).

• Hypo pigmentation (e.g. Vitiligo).

• Any inflammatory skin condition e.g. eczema, active Herpes Simplex, etc. at the treatment site (because it may aggravate the condition).

• Skin cancer or any other cancer and / or who reports he/she is undertaking any cancer drug therapy (such as Ducabaxine, Fluorouracil, Methotrexate, etc).

• A history of Keloid scarring (because any IPL burn may produce a Keloid scar).

• Epilepsy (because repeated consecutive flashes may induce a fit).

• Using St John’s Wort (herbal remedy) in the past 3 months for depression (owing to photosensitivity).

• Who has oral Isotretinoin-Roaccutane or Tretinoin-Retin A in the previous 3 – 6 months for the treatment of acne or other dermatological conditions.

• Who is pregnant; until periods return and end of breast feeding (because hormonal imbalance may reduce treatment effectiveness).

• Who takes drugs for diabetes (owing to possible photosensitivity and poor wound healing).

• Taking anti-coagulant drugs (e.g. for heart disease).

• Wearing a pacemaker unless the IPL or pacemaker manufacturer confirms in writing that it is safe to treat the client wearing the pacemaker.

• Taking any topical medication (e.g. hydrocortisone) or wearing perfumes, deodorants, sun block, essential oils or other skin lotions (which could cause photosensitivity).

• Surgical metal pins or plates under the tissue to be treated.

• To be less than 18 years of age as our establishment is not registered to treat children with IPL.

A doctor’s letter will be required before treating clients who are reportedly using Quinidine, any anti-psychotic medication or large combinations of cardiac / diuretic

drugs, topical steroid creams in the area to be treated, general anaesthesia in the IPL contraindications and photosensitizing medications vers 1.0 February 2009

last 3 months, local anaesthetic near treated areas in the past month or where you

are uncertain about any reported medical condition or medication.

A doctor’s letter will be required for those clients who have reported a fake tan, suffering with allergies, has hormone abnormalities such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, has cold sores in the treatment area, has reported HIV or Hepatitis.

Transsexuals may be treated although results can vary and IPL treatment should follow 6 months after completion of hormone therapy.

Conditions that affect hormone levels such as thyroid conditions, oral steroids, hormonal therapy and polycystic ovaries can be treated but results may vary and

realistic outcomes may be reduced or delayed.

Information on Drug-Induced Photosensitivity

There are many drugs and some herbal remedies available at the moment that can cause the skin to become very sensitive to light. Whether these drugs are taken by

mouth or applied to the skin, a reaction can occur. This reaction is called ‘Drug-Induced Photosensitivity’. Therefore, it is very important that you read this information and notify the Operator of any drugs that you may be using.

Photosensitivity reactions can be divided into two groups:

Photo-Toxic Reactions - these are dose related and can be seen to a slight degree

in people who are exposed to sunlight (presumed to be due to the UV component).

Photo-Allergic Reactions – these involve the immune system and may be similar to

other allergic reactions, swelling, rashes and hives.

The drugs cause this reaction by absorbing either UV or visible radiation from

sunlight or the Equipment light (which is in the visible part of the spectrum) that is

delivered by IPL systems.

Types of Photosensitivity:

·         Abnormal and extreme sunburn

·         Stinging and burning

·         Vesicles- A small sac or cyst containing fluid or gas

·         Hives

·         Swelling

The degree of photo-sensitive response is also normally dose-related, so the higher the dose of a particular photosensitive drug (or herbal remedy such as St. John’s

Wort), the greater the probability of a reaction and the greater the degree of skin response.

There is a web site that can be used for further information visit http://emc.medicines.org.uk/ and insert the medication name. If still in doubt contact

us on (01865) 730044 and we can refer to in-house medication charts.