If you’re tired of shaving, tweezing, and waxing your hair regularly then IPL could be the answer to your woes. But before booking your appointment there are a few important considerations you need to keep in mind first.
Before commencing treatment, it is wise to avoid plucking, waxing or any other method of hair removal as this can damage hair follicles and thus decrease its efficacy.
1. Avoid Sunlight
At IPL treatments and immediately afterwards, sunlight can irritate skin cells, leaving it sensitive and painful. To manage this sensitivity effectively, cover treated areas with clothing or use sun protection when outdoors; gentle cleansing with gentle cleanser is important in order to avoid irritation; patting dry rather than rubbing can help minimize this process; additionally using light moisturizer will keep skin hydrated for quicker recovery time.
While IPL treatments may generate considerable attention, not all dermatologists provide them. Furthermore, many who do do offer them do so without proper equipment and expertise to use it properly; this can result in adverse side effects like long-term pigment changes and scarring.
IPL devices filter out harmful wavelengths and are approved for use on darker skin types up to Fitzpatrick type V. Unfortunately, many home IPL and laser devices only recommend use on light skin tones, potentially leading to serious harm if used on darker skin tones.
IPL technology offers many advantages over traditional methods for hair removal, including targeting and destroying individual follicles with minimal damage to surrounding skin. Furthermore, it’s very effective at targeting unwanted pigmentation such as age spots, freckles, sun spots or large pores and eliminating them altogether.
However, to achieve optimal results with IPL photofacials it is essential that patients refrain from plucking, waxing and using depilatory creams prior to receiving treatments as this will only allow light energy to reach its intended destination – hair follicles. If these follicles are pulled out during hair growth or in their process of renewal then light will not react with them properly and IPL won’t be as successful at inhibiting hair growth or treating pigmentation issues effectively.
2. Wear Sunscreen
If you have undergone laser skin treatments to eliminate unwanted hair or blemishes, such as laser hair removal, then it is essential that direct sunlight does not come in contact with the treated area before and after your session. This means avoiding tanning beds, wearing hats and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors and using sunscreen with an SPF 30 rating when leaving home.
IPL (intense pulsed light therapy) uses multiple wavelengths of light instead of using laser treatments, to treat skin. This helps reduce redness, brown spots and uneven skin tone as well as eliminate broken blood vessels or veins that appear unexpectedly on your body.
Sun damage treatment is particularly effective for protecting skin on the face, neck, hands and chest from sun exposure, helping reverse some signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines. Furthermore, this therapy may improve conditions associated with collagen breakdown such as rosacea or dark circles under eyes.
IPL therapy works safely for Fitzpatrick skin types I to IV; however, darker tones are best served by other forms of laser or light therapies. Melanin absorption by hair and skin causes burns or other adverse side effects and should be avoided to ensure no adverse side effects arise from treatment with IPL.
Before having an IPL treatment, be sure to wear a water resistant sunscreen with broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection that acts as an effective barrier against sun rays rather than just absorbing them as with chemical ones. A physical sunscreen acts more as a shield and less like an absorber!
3. Avoid Alcohol
There are various cosmetic treatments available to reduce blemishes and enhance skin’s tone and texture, such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels and laser resurfacing. All three utilize light therapy in order to treat different conditions; however, IPL treatment stands out by employing multiple wavelengths rather than just one specific one like laser does.
Contrasting laser treatments which produce narrow beams of light that target blood vessels directly, IPL uses broad spectrum light waves that target various forms of pigmentation. These wavelengths penetrate your epidermis layer before being absorbed by hair follicles and other structures below.
IPL treatments tend to work better on lighter skin types than darker ones as their wavelength targets melanin and may cause discolouration of darker complexions. Furthermore, unlike laser treatments which may cause burns, IPL doesn’t cause burns which makes this method considerably safer than its alternatives.
Before an IPL treatment, the ideal thing to do is avoid alcohol as this can dehydrate your skin and interfere with its effectiveness. In addition, avoid sun exposure (including tanning beds) for at least 2-4 weeks prior to scheduling your appointment and refrain from taking blood thinners like aspirin or ibuprofen for at least two days beforehand as these could potentially cause unwanted side effects like swelling and minor bruising.
Finally, to keep your skin hydrated you should drink lots of water and apply moisturising body lotion as necessary. IPL and laser treatment won’t prevent further aging or treat existing blemishes; however, they are great ways to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, scarring and hyperpigmentation.
4. Avoid Taking Certain Medication
Avoiding certain medication is especially important during and after IPL treatments as certain drugs increase your risk of blood clot formation in your body, including aspirin and medications that cause blood clots to form. You should also avoid applying makeup or perfume directly onto the area to be treated as this could compromise its penetration ability and compromise results.
An IPL photofacial uses light energy to penetrate your skin and heat its inner tissues, heating the inner layer and helping remove brown spots caused by sun damage as well as broken blood vessels in your skin. Furthermore, IPL photofacial can reduce or even eliminate fine lines and wrinkles as well as acne scarring; it may not be as successful in eliminating facial and neck hair removal however.
IPL treatments are generally safe when administered by licensed medical professionals with experience performing them. Most people will experience some redness or swelling after their sessions; this usually goes away within hours or days, although you could take a cool bath or apply a cold washcloth to help alleviate discomfort.
An IPL hair removal session works by targeting melanin in your hair follicles and shaft. The light energy converts into heat that damages cells that produce unwanted hair growth, stopping future regrowth. You should see results of an IPL treatment within three to seven sessions; some people may require up to six or more treatments; your dermatologist will suggest an optimal schedule. You can either use an at-home IPL device for treatment or visit their office.
5. Avoid Smoking
IPL Photofacial is a noninvasive cosmetic skin treatment using light energy to diminish pigmentation issues, signs of aging, red flushing, broken capillaries, and rosacea. The procedure can be repeated over a series of sessions for healthy skin tone and texture.
An IPL session starts by having your skin professionally cleansed and protected with gel before being exposed to pulses of light from a handheld device emitting pulses over your face or body. While you may feel some discomfort from this procedure, most patients compare it to being snapping around like rubber bands over their skin. Full IPL treatments usually last 30-60 minutes depending on which area needs treating.
IPL devices work by targeting areas of high pigmentation such as hair follicles. They accomplish this by absorbing excess pigment and heating it, which then slows or stops hair growth altogether. Furthermore, the IPL also stimulates collagen production for more youthful and smooth complexion.
As with other cosmetic procedures, there can be risks associated with IPL treatments as well. This may include skin irritation, damage to eyes (if the treatment takes place near them) and permanent scarring – therefore it is wise to always consult a qualified practitioner when considering IPL therapy.
Keep in mind that IPL treatment does not work as effectively on dark or olive skin compared to laser hair removal, as its light is composed of multiple wavelengths which may not provide as precise an effect in certain circumstances.
