FAQ about Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Hair Removal
Skin Care by Connie Rae uses IPL that is unique in that it simultaneously delivers a controlled level of heat and light that raises the temperature of the target chromophore without damaging the surrounding tissue.
Q.: Is it permanent?
A.: Clients will experience a certain percentage of permanent hair loss, usually between 15 and 30 percent of what is treated with each visit.
Q.: How does it work?
A.: The IPL technology that Skin Care by Connie Rae uses is unique because it uses both light and heat. The light and heat energy is used to selectively target melanin in the hair follicle where heat is absorbed through the shaft enough to damage the papilla (root). This causes thermal destruction of the papilla and other important structures in the follicle, causing the hair growth to be significantly impeded or eliminated with each treatment. The effective combination of light and heat results in a better focus of the energy, and unlike other systems that filter the heat, all the heat energy emitted from the light source is used.
Q.: Is it safe?
A.: A skilled technician will offer the safest treatment with the least amount of skin reaction and advise the client on aftercare instructions that address any complications following treatment. If there are some minor side effects that occur, most of these can be dealt with by the client at home.
Q.: Is the treatment affordable?
A.: Treatments are affordable and vary according to individual client’s needs. Below are approximate rates per treatment.
Small area ~ $50 – $150
Medium area ~ $150 – $250
Large area ~ $250 – $300
Q.: Is the treatment painful?
A.: Most clients find the treatment to be extremely tolerable. For others who may experience a slight discomfort, we recommend the application of a topical anesthetic like Ela-Max or Emla prior to treatment.
Q.: Will my skin be red and swollen?
A.: There is little or no irritation or discomfort after treatment and clients often come in on their lunch hour.
Q.: How many treatments will I need?
A.: In the majority of cases, 5 to 10 treatments are necessary. Hair grows in cycles, so clients who are tweezing frequently may need frequent treatments for the first 3 months (every 2 or 3 weeks) so that we can be sure to treat all of the underlying growth at least once during a three month period. Areas that have not been tweezed or waxed can be scheduled at 6 to 8 week intervals.
Q.: Do I have to let the hair grow out before a treatment?
A.: Shaving is fine, but you will have to discontinue tweezing. We need to shave the area prior to treatment anyway, so unlike waxing, the area can be shaved between visits.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photo Rejuvenation
As our skin ages, various factors lead to its degeneration and imperfections in our skin. Advances in the treatment of aging skin have continued to improve, from dermabrasion to chemical peels to laser skin resurfacing. These procedures had to be administered by a doctor, and almost always involved a lengthy recovery period. IPL is the most exciting advancement in skin care because it is designed to treat skin damage in a softer, gentler way with little or now downtime between visits. Treatments with LHE™ are safe, easy and effective for fine lines, rosacea, irregular pigmentation, and large pores.
Photo Rejuvenation is not limited to the face, because other areas of the body can benefit from photorejuvenation as well. Areas that are particularly affected by sun and aging are the chest, hands and arms, and lower legs.
Q.: What does Photo Rejuvenation address?
A.: Photo Rejuvenation addresses skin affected by sun exposure and normal aging causing:
Brown spots
Fine lines
Rosacea
Broken capillaries
*Uneven skin tone
*If you suffer from an uneven skin tone due to brown spots caused by unprotected sun exposure, your skin will look noticeably different in less than two weeks after one photo facial.
Q.: How long is a treatment session?
A.: An average treatment session takes about 30 minutes.
Q.: How does a Photo Facial treat aging skin?
A.: With a photo facial, the light and heat penetrate into the epidermis and papillary layers of the skin targeting damaged cells to cause a mild thermal trauma in the affected area below the skin without damaging the outer layers of skin. This process is followed by the production of new cells, because it is the body’s natural response to heal and replace old cells with new ones.
Q.: How many treatments should I have?
A.: A series of 3-
Q.: Is the treated area red or swollen after treatment?
A.: The treated area may appear slightly pink and feel like a mild sunburn after treatment. Pigmented lesions, capillaries, and rosacea may seem a little more prominent, and the pigmented lesions may form a thin crust for about a week or two before fading completely. The end result will leave skin with an overall improved skin tone.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Acne Treatment
Acne begins with the over secretion of sebum (natural oils) in your skin, which traps skin cells and does not allow them to shed. The cells build up and clog the pores. These clogged pores trap bacteria inside, and as the bacteria multiply, it results in inflammation and acne.
Q.: Can I continue to take prescribed medication during IPL treatments?
A.: Clients taking Accutane must wait 6 months after going off Accutane to have IPL treatments. Other prescription medication and over the counter topical medication creams or cleansers will enhance IPL treatments for acne.
Q.: How many treatments will it take?
A.: An IPL acne treatment might take between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on the extent of the effected area. For optimal results, treatments should be scheduled twice a week for 4 weeks
Q.: How does IPL work on acne?
A.: The different wave lengths of light penetrate into clogged pores and trigger a photo-
