IPL SkinRejuv

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, or better known as IPL Therapy is used for Hair Removal, but can also be used for Pigmentation & Tattoo Removal, Red Vein & Vascular Birthmark removal, Acne & Pimples, Facial Rejuvenation and Collagen Stimulation.

The IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Therapy) procedure produces a high intensity flash of filtered light from the applicator head, which has been placed in contact with the skin. The energy from the light source is absorbed by the pigment melanin, which is the chromospheres.

How is the treatment carried out?

The glass applicator is placed in contact with skin surface and the light is pulsed through it onto the skin. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area and the process is repeated.

Skin Rejuvenation using IPL, is a procedure that mildly injures the skin in order to initiate the natural wound healing process.

Light is absorbed by water in the cells. The water heats up and causes a mild thermal reaction that activates fibroblasts. The result is the creation of new collagen and elastin fibre cells within connective tissues of the dermis. The overall effect of this mild skin "injury" creates an improvement in skin texture and smoothing of fine lines.

The effects of the sun and the natural aging process causes damage to the skin over time, which can lead to premature ageing, coarser skin texture and uneven colour.

IPL Skin Rejuvenation treatments help to stimulate the fibroblast cells in the skin that produce collagen and elastin. This will improve the radiancy and tightness of your skin and you will look younger and your skin will feel smoother.

It is suitable for all ages and especially those who are starting to notice those first signs of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes appearing.

A series of 5 to 6 IPL Skin Rejuvenation treatments is usually required scheduled approximately 3 to 4 weeks apart. A follow up treatment is generally recommended every 6 months, this guarantees optimum results. After treatments skin will appear radiant, refreshed and will show improved tone and texture, with a significant reduction of small red blood vessels and irregular areas of pigmentation.

b. NO exercise or activity that generates body heat for 4 hours prior to procedure.

Post treatment the client experiences a mild sunburn-like sensation. This should disappear after 30 minutes to 3 hours. Instant cosmetic changes, the skin will appear radiant, refreshed and will show improved tone and texture making the skin appear more youthful and healthy looking.

From a more clinical perspective, over a period of a couple of months wrinkles are smoothed as new collagen growth in the shrunken dermal layer develops. This has been shown to hold up over several years if stringent sun protection practices are followed.

Light, from the IPL machine, absorbed by melanin is transformed into heat energy. This causes the breakdown of pigment molecules. These are naturally cleaned away by phagocytes and normal skin shedding.

Redness and darkening of pigment molecules can be expected for up to 10 days afterwards. Then the darkened spots harden and come away 1-3 weeks later.

IPL CONTRAINDICATIONS AND PHOTOSENSITIZING MEDICATIONS
We cannot treat anyone who has known or reported the following unless a letter fromyour GP is available confirming that the medical condition(s) will not prevent treatmentusing intense pulsed light:

• Tanned skin (active tan) through sun exposure or tanning bed use in the previous30 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 thetreatment site (because it may aggravate the condition).

• Skin cancer or any other cancer and / or who reports he/she is undertaking anycancer 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 (owingto 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 (becausehormonal 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). So, make sure that you wash them off before hand.

• 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.