Unwanted Hair? The answer is natural permanent painless hair removal!
Over 27 years experience. Now servicing the Mornington Peninsula with our IPL hair removal medical grade technology.
How do we do this?
Laser Hair Removal can be so painful at times many people feel they cannot continue in their quest for a hair free body. This is why many people prefer to have Intense Pulsed Light treatment or IPL treatments instead of laser treatments, for permanent hair removal, IPL is known to be more comfortable and equally as effective in the permanent hair removal of hair on the face and body.
At Skin we use the SKINLIGHT IPL system as we feel it offers great results ( up to 30% reduction on the first session ) and a more comfortable permanent hair removal , alternative to laser hair removal. Where Laser uses a single beam of light that focuses on a single hair follicle IPL uses a scattered light fired directly through a hair reduction lens to destroy the hair follicle with less pain and discomfort that other progressive permanent hair removal methods available.
IPL permanent hair removal is so easy anyone who has experienced this method of Permanent Hair Removal never goes back to the pain of waxing.
The most popular areas are those normally waxed and most women are comfortable to have their chins, upper lips, cheeks, under-arms, legs and arms zapped. These areas respond extremely successfully and even the Bikini areas respond equally as well with Brazilians being almost “painless” in comparison to waxing.
We are also able to work with men to provide permanent hair removal results , with legs, backs and chests being the post popular areas.
We recommend a course of 4 to 6 treatment sessions and while some results can vary depending upon your skin colour and genetic predisposition it is our goal to produce truly effective, long term permanent hair removal results.
Some skin types, hair colour and people with hormonal changes may require more permanent hair removal treatments, at all times we will provide you with a detailed consultation where the number of treatments required will be discussed.
Should you experience hair regrowth after your scheduled course of treatments, this regrowth will be weak, thin and lighter in colour, due to the previous damaged inflicted upon the hair follicles. These can be destroyed with further maintenance treatment if necessary.
How does the hair removal system work?
The IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Therapy) hair removal 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 chromophore, which gives hair its colour. The hair rapidly absorbs this filtered light and transfers it to the surrounding cells that in turn are converted into heat raising them to a temperature of 70 degree Centigrade or more. The heating denatures the cells making them incapable of producing further hair growth.
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.
Who can be treated?
Dark hairs are most easily treated due to the high concentration of melanin that gives maximum absorption and conversion of light energy into heat. Very fair hair has less melanin and consequently less heat is produced, simply raising the fluence output from the IPL treats such hair. White hair has no melanin and cannot be efficiently treated. The upper skin layer of the epidermis also contains melanin and the concentration increases when the skin is exposed to UV light. It is therefore necessary to treat the dark skinned individuals with less energy to avoid generation of excess heat and pain in the skin. The IPL software allows you to adjust the treatment parameters for different hair and pigment type.
Does it hurt?
As the light energy is absorbed by the pigment melanin, the discomfort depends upon the concentration of melanin in the epidermis and the hairs combined. Consequently it hurts more in dark skinned people and those with dense dark hair hairs. No anaesthesia is required and most patients describe the pain as moderate and acceptable.
Does you need to shave prior to the treatment?
Ideally, hairs should be 1 to 2mm long when you come in for the treatment so it is possible to mark out the treatment area. Long hairs take up the energy and prevent all of it reaching to the hair root. Therefore hair is trimmed just before for maximum transmission of the energy. If the hair is normally shaved and can be seen when shaven then you can shave right up to the day of treatment. Although plucking and bleaching should not be done. By avoiding any other form of epilating and waxing 4 weeks before the treatment it ensures as many follicles as possible contain hair thus can be destroyed by the light
Why do hairs “grow” after treatment?
Unlike other light depilation treatments, hairs are not vaporised by the IPL treatment. The heat kills the hair roots but the hairs remain in the skin and often become attached to the epidermis. They will fall out after 1 to 3 weeks as the epidermis renews itself. During this period it will seem that the hairs are growing a little faster as the epidermis pushes them out.
How can you tell if the treatment has worked when the hairs are not removed immediately?
Various Indications such as colour of Hair becoming charcoal black and expanding in size or a Red ring around each follicle is often seen a few minutes after the treatment. These are good indications that sufficient heating of the follicles has taken place. Unfortunately this is not always seen and we have seen many patients with successful treatments results without the post treatment signs.
What are the side effects?
The visible light should be completely safe, so no special precautions are needed apart from glasses for the brightness generated from flash lamp. The skin of some people can be quite red immediately after treatment and very rarely small blisters as from excessive sun exposure can occur. However, most people experience no side effects at all and the described skin reactions as above usually disappear within hours to few days. Unlike electrolysis the IPL treatment is non-invasive.
How many treatments are necessary?
Only hair in the growth phase can be treated. The number of hairs in this phase varies from 20%to 90% depending on the body site. The lengths of the growth cycles also vary from 6 to 24 weeks depending on the body site. For most people three to five treatments are sufficient to clear an area of hair. After the first treatment most patients get a significant reduction in hair density also new grown hairs tend to become finer. It is important to know that the first treatment is believed to synchronise the anagen (growth) phase of the non-anagen hairs. This may cause what seems to be regrowth but actually just sleeping hairs starting to grow at the same time (new growth) This in turn makes next treatment(s) more effective. Patients should avoid tanning 1 month ahead of the treatment and immediately after treatment the skin is particularly sensitive to UV light and strong sunlight should be avoided for 4-5 days.
Understanding the hair growth cycle
Hair has a three stage cycle. The stage targeted by IPL is the growth stage. This stage is responsible for 10–20% of visible hair at any time. This is why it is necessary to have multiple treatments. Results will vary according to the individual. On average treatment on the body is done every 4-6weeks and face is 3-4week intervals.
How Long Does The Treatment Take?
The Facial treatment usually takes 15 minutes whereas both legs and an entire back take approximately 1hour
Is It Permanent?
Most authorities would agree that using current laser and IPL technology it is possible to permanently remove hair. Histology studies have found destroyed and denatured hair follicles cells in post treatment. A recent study showed that the percentage reduction in hairs after treatment using IPL systems are well above 80%.
Before and After Treatment
With IPL there is some preparation required in the weeks before treatment, along with after-care following treatment. Skin’s Technicians will advise you accordingly at time of consultation.
Customised packages for our Mornington Peninsula and Mount Eliza clients