Permanent Reduction of Unwanted Hair - ADELAIDE (IPL Hair Reduction)
Permanent Hair Reduction
Adelaide Mobile Spray Tanning are delighted to offer you this revolutionary, non-invasive light treatment - and we know you'll love the results!
No matter where you have unwanted hair, a course of IPL (Intensive Pulsed Light) hair removal treatments can bring you the freedom you only previously dreamt about now in Gawler, South Australia at affordable prices (by appointment only).
The treatment is suitable for both men and women. Women can say goodbye regular waxing and shaving, and for men a hairy back or chest can be a thing of the past.
How does IPL work?
Suitable for men and women, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) works by selectively damaging actively growing hair follicles and causing their death.
After some repeat sessions, almost all of the hair will be permanently removed. IPL is the next step on from laser and electrolysis, is more comfortable, and you will need fewer treatments.
How does IPL feel?
After cleansing and preparing the skin the IPL is applied. Most people feel a little warmth in the area, while some feel a slight 'nip' sensation. The overall feeling is so light that the IPL may be used on any part of the body.
The skin may appear slightly red after treatment but this disappears almost immediately.
Unlike electrolysis, IPL is a non invasive treatment.
Unlike electrolysis, IPL is a non invasive treatment.
How many treatments are needed?
Hair grows in cycles. Only hair in its ‘growth‘phase can be treated. The rest are dormant or 'resting'. IPL treatment destroys only actively growing hairs, so you will need to return for a number of repeat sessions in order to destroy all of the hair.
Typically this is between 7 – 10 n depending on the body area and the growth rate of the hair.
Typically this is between 7 – 10 n depending on the body area and the growth rate of the hair.
How fast is the treatment?
Large numbers of hairs can be destroyed at a time. So the upper lip may take only a few minutes to cover, while two full legs may take up to an hour and a half. Time also needs to be spent preparing your skin prior to the light therapy and properly tending to it after the session.
What can I expect to see after a session?
The 'best' results appear after the second session because at this stage we've managed to catch a lot of the hair in it's growth phase. Also, because the hair doesn't immediately fall out after each session - it can take between five days and three weeks depending on the hair. Three to four weeks break between sessions to maximize the new hair growth is recommended.
The 'best' results appear after the second session because at this stage we've managed to catch a lot of the hair in it's growth phase. Also, because the hair doesn't immediately fall out after each session - it can take between five days and three weeks depending on the hair. Three to four weeks break between sessions to maximize the new hair growth is recommended.
Regardless of the laser/IPL used, a short burst of light is fired at skin' s surface. This light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair shaft, where it heats and destroys the hair whilst sparing surrounding tissues.
If the hair is in the growth stage (anagen), the heat is transmitted down the hair shaft to the base of the follicle and to the germ cells lining the follicle shaft, causing their destruction.
Hair caught in the growth stage will not tend to grow again. Other follicles, which are not actively growing may then produce new hair. These follicles will need to be targeted in the growth stage to effect follicle damage.
How many treatments are required?
Everyone is different and it is just not possible to be accurate. Somewhere between 7 and 10 treatments are usually required. The exact number will vary depending on where the hair is, what has been done to the hair in the past and, of course, your individual response.
Everyone is different and it is just not possible to be accurate. Somewhere between 7 and 10 treatments are usually required. The exact number will vary depending on where the hair is, what has been done to the hair in the past and, of course, your individual response.
Can all hair colours be treated?
Laser/IPL depilation works best on dark hair, because dark hair contains more pigment to absorb light. Fair hair can respond well but white hair, very blond hair and some types of red hair will not respond to a laser/IPL system and will need to be treated hair-by-hair using an electrolysis technique.
Laser/IPL depilation works best on dark hair, because dark hair contains more pigment to absorb light. Fair hair can respond well but white hair, very blond hair and some types of red hair will not respond to a laser/IPL system and will need to be treated hair-by-hair using an electrolysis technique.
Can all parts of the body be treated?
Yes - including the chin, upper lip, cheeks, legs, arms, underarms and back - as well as sensitive areas like the ears, nose, chest and bikini line.
Yes - including the chin, upper lip, cheeks, legs, arms, underarms and back - as well as sensitive areas like the ears, nose, chest and bikini line.
Is laser/IPL hair removal permanent?
Results vary; actively growing hair follicles will be destroyed. Our lasers/IPL produce permanent hair reduction although we prefer to call it long lasting. As with all depilation methods, we cannot give any guarantee as the laser/IPL will only affect actively growing follicles and has no effect on dormant or ‘resting' hair follicles. Therefore, it is always possible that new hair growth may take place from hair follicles not currently growing. It is also accepted now that some hairs are not destroyed but convert from a terminal (thick dark, noticeable) hair to a vellus (fine, blonde unnoticeable) hair.
Results vary; actively growing hair follicles will be destroyed. Our lasers/IPL produce permanent hair reduction although we prefer to call it long lasting. As with all depilation methods, we cannot give any guarantee as the laser/IPL will only affect actively growing follicles and has no effect on dormant or ‘resting' hair follicles. Therefore, it is always possible that new hair growth may take place from hair follicles not currently growing. It is also accepted now that some hairs are not destroyed but convert from a terminal (thick dark, noticeable) hair to a vellus (fine, blonde unnoticeable) hair.
How does laser/IPL hair removal compare with other hair removal methods?
Shaving, waxing and depilatory creams are all temporary methods that must be repeated on a regular basis.
Shaving, waxing and depilatory creams are all temporary methods that must be repeated on a regular basis.
Electrolysis is a valuable method for treating white, grey and red hairs [and we do offer this service] but it is very slow and suffers from the same drawbacks as laser/IPL method – only those hairs that are actively growing will be destroyed – the others will grow back.
Light based hair removal is the only significant improvement in hair removal in the last 20 years.
Light based hair removal is the only significant improvement in hair removal in the last 20 years.
Is the treatment safe?
Yes. Lasers/IPL have been used in medicine for over 30 years and there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that the treatment can lead to skin disorders or an increased risk of skin cancer. Extensive clinical trials for laser/IPL depilation have resulted in a very safe technique with a minimal risk of side effects.
Yes. Lasers/IPL have been used in medicine for over 30 years and there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that the treatment can lead to skin disorders or an increased risk of skin cancer. Extensive clinical trials for laser/IPL depilation have resulted in a very safe technique with a minimal risk of side effects.
Should anyone avoid this treatment?
The treatment should be avoided by anyone who is (i) hypersensitive to light; (ii) suffering from live cold sores in the treatment area; (iii) suffering from vitiligo. (skin pigment loss); (iv) pregnant.
The treatment should be avoided by anyone who is (i) hypersensitive to light; (ii) suffering from live cold sores in the treatment area; (iii) suffering from vitiligo. (skin pigment loss); (iv) pregnant.
How do I prepare myself for IPL treatment with Adelaide Mobile Spray Tanning?
The laser/IPL targets the pigment in the hair and skin and thus it is important that you do not have a suntan - whether natural or artificial. If you have a tan you should wait at least 2 weeks after your last UV exposure until there is no activity in the pigment producing cells. If you are plucking, waxing or threading, you should stop 2 weeks prior to treatment and change to shaving or cutting the hair. The treatment area needs to be shaved the day before treatment. You should avoid perfumes, deodorants or any potential irritants in the treatment area before and after treatment. You should avoid alcohol, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatorys for 48 hours before treatment; this will reduce the risk of a skin reaction.
The laser/IPL targets the pigment in the hair and skin and thus it is important that you do not have a suntan - whether natural or artificial. If you have a tan you should wait at least 2 weeks after your last UV exposure until there is no activity in the pigment producing cells. If you are plucking, waxing or threading, you should stop 2 weeks prior to treatment and change to shaving or cutting the hair. The treatment area needs to be shaved the day before treatment. You should avoid perfumes, deodorants or any potential irritants in the treatment area before and after treatment. You should avoid alcohol, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatorys for 48 hours before treatment; this will reduce the risk of a skin reaction.
Laser hair removal - the risks
- Laser hair removal works best, and has fewest risks, on pale skin.
- Let any sun tan fade before you consider treatment.
- The skin can be left with dark marks or pale patches, which should fade over several months.
- Laser hair removal does not always work well on red hair or grey hair because laser energy is absorbed by pigment and there is little or no pigment in these hair colours.
- People with very dark complexions, run the risk of too much energy being absorbed and damaging the skin.
- You should also avoid laser hair removal treatment if you are particularly sensitive to light or have any infection around the place to be treated.
- You should not have laser hair removal treatment if you have been treated for acne with Isotretinoin in the previous year.
Does it hurt and what could go wrong?
Problems after Laser or Intense Pulsed Light, IPL treatment for hair removal vary according to your skin type, but here are some of the potential complications.
Immediately after the procedure, you may notice some swelling, and the skin may become pink or red and a little sore.
Patients have described it as feeling like mild sunburn, but this is a reaction that usually disappears within a day or so.
Skin pigment may be darkened by bright light. It has the same effect as a light suntan, but because it is only visible at the points at which the laser has landed on your skin, it can look quite peculiar! If it occurs at all, (which is quite rare) it will gradually fade but may take many months to do so.
If the skin pigment absorbs too much laser energy, the pigment can be damaged leaving pale patches on the skin. Again these usually slowly recover.
The same process can cause the skin to overheat, resulting in blistering and possibly scarring. These effects are unlikely on pale skin, but care must be taken with darker skin.
Individuals vary in their sensitivity to light treatment so your practitioner should test a patch of your skin before going ahead.
Recently tanned skin can be more vulnerable to the side effects or risks described above, and for many types of machine used, clinics will advise you to be as pale as possible before considering hair removal using light treatment.
Treatment process
After the consultation, depending on the treatment that you are having done the basic procedure will be the same with skin rejuvenation. The area to be treated will be prepared.
Before and after treatments
It is advised to stay out of the sun, spray tan and tanning beds for a few weeks before hand, this is just to ensure that your skin is close to your natural colour. We can still do the treatment we just have to a little less strong.
After the treatment you may be a bit more sensitive to products and the sun for a few days only. It is advised to wear sun block if you are going in the sun.
When will I notice results?
Depending on which treatment you are having done the results will be different. With hair removal you will notice a result after the 2nd and 3rd treatment. You will need to have around 7 - 10 treatments for full results, but everyone is different so it may be one more or less.
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How does hair removal work with pulsed light?
Visable and near infrared light can penetrate deep into the skin and is most effectively absorbed by melanin that is found in the hair matrix, hair shaft and epidermis. A light pulse penetrates into the skin, is absorbed by the hair matrix and the hair shaft and heats them up. It kills the hair that is in the Anagen stage. The resulting thermal injury induces the hair follicle to prematurely enter the catagen phase and subsequently the telogen phase and fall out.
There are 3 different phases of hair growth
Anagen Phase: In anagen phase hair is growing from the bulb with an abundance of melanin which is what the light from the ipl machine is attracted to. At any given time the majority of our body hair is in this phase. When having a vpl treatment it will only kill the hair that is in the anagen phase.
Catagen Phase: After the hair follicle has grown for a period of time, it enters into the catagen phase. This phase lasts about 2 weeks, during which the hair stops growing but is not yet shed. 3-4% of our body hair is in this phase.
Telogen Phase: This is the resting phase which last 5 to 6 weeks, at the end of which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. 10- 13% of our body hair is in the phase at any one time.
In order for the procedure to work at all there must be some pigmentation in the hair so the energy can be absorbed. For this reason it is more difficult to obtain good clearance in grey and white hairs, although satisfactory results can be obtained for red and naturally blonde hair in many cases if any pigment is present.
What can I treat?
The Ultra VPL system can treat all hair types from all over the body, provided there is pigment (colour) present. Fair hair can be effectively treated; however, the number of treatments may be greater. Grey hair cannot be effectively treated.
Pre Post treatment
The following information is a guideline that will help ensure that the treatment is a success and that the chances of any unwanted side-effects are minimized.
1. | The area treated can be red and warm for a few hours after treatment. If this is uncomfortable you can cool the area with a cold flannel/towel or some other means of cooling. It is advisable to avoid ice as this may cause an “ice burn”. |
2. | Soothing preparations/gels can be also be applied such as Aloe Vera witch-hazel or Tea Tree oil. These help soothe the area but also have antiseptic properties. |
3. | If you can refrain from the use of make-up that day this will also give the chance for the skin to cool naturally. |
4. | Leave the hairs in the follicles for at least 4 days after the treatment. This will help reduce any chances of an opportunistic infection in the damaged follicle. The hairs will drop out naturally over the following 5 -14 days. |
5. | Try to use cleansing products that have been developed for sensitive skin for 2 days after treatment. Be gentle when drying or rubbing the area treated. |
6. | Avoid tanning beds or sunbathing for at least 7 days after the treatment. |