Do you suffer from unwanted or excessive body/facial hair? Are you tired of time consuming solutions such as waxing and shaving? Here at The Ivy Clinic we offer IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment to help both men and women achieve permanent hair reduction.
IPL works by releasing precisely controlled short bursts of light that are absorbed by melanin, the pigment in the hair. This heats the hair and destroys the root to achieve long term hair reduction. Treatments are non-invasive and quick with results being seen after just a few sessions.
Popular treatment areas for women include facial hair removal, legs, bikini and under arms. The most common areas we treat in men are shoulder, back and chest hair.
Not all IPL systems are the same! The Ivy Clinic uses the best system available from Lynton Lasers which is safe and clinically proven to get fast and effective results.
How is treatment carried out?
A layer of chilled gel is applied to the skin to help guide the light. The laser or Intense Pulsed Light is placed on the skin and a short pulse of light is released, which targets many follicles simultaneously. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area of skin and the process is repeated until the entire area is treated.
Am I suitable for treatment?
Most people are suitable for treatment. Best results are often achieved with clients who have fair skin and dark hair. Dark hair is more easily treated as it has a high concentration of melanin. Fair hair however, contains less melanin and is harder to treat. Grey/white hair has no melanin so is not suitable for treatment.
How does the treatment feel?
Treatment sensation varies but is often described as “a flick of an elastic band”. Typically no anaesthesia is required and most clients describe the discomfort as moderate and tolerable.
What will I see after the treatment?
The hair follicles are damaged by heat but the hairs remain in the follicles. The dead hairs shed after 1 – 3 weeks as the epidermis renews. During this period the hairs will seem to ‘grow’ as they are pushed out by the new epidermis.
Are there any side effects?
The skin may be red immediately after treatment and the hair follicles may be swollen and bumpy but this usually subsides within a few hours. Adverse reactions are rare but may include a small blister or temporary lightening or darkening of the skin.
How many treatments are necessary?
Only hair that is actively growing is affected, therefore multiple treatments are needed. Treatment is conducted every 4 – 8 weeks, depending on the area treated, until a satisfactory result is seen. The required number of treatments varies, but typically 6 or more treatments are needed for optimum results.
How long does each treatment take?
Treatments can take as little as 10 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the treatment area.
Consultation Procedure
Prior to treatment, a consultation is conducted in which a medical history is taken to confirm suitability for treatment, there is also an opportunity for any questions you may have to be answered. Before treatment commences you must provide written consent and a small test patch will be carried out.
Prices are for a single treatment. A course of treatment is needed for a satisfactory result.