IPL Hair Removal

Ok so this is one of my fave treatments! Why? Because it works and gives results! As simple as that!

Ever wondered what the hell is going on when that handpiece is applied to your hoohaa??

I have had a few people query me over the pain and mention they have been informed elsewhere by therapists that they own a machine that doesn’t hurt. Well, I'm here to give you some facts so you feel a bit clued up with it all. All light based therapies work on the same principle. Photothermolysis Photo (light) thermo (heat) lysis (destruction). This basically means light produces heat which destroys cells. The hair must be heated to approx 70 degrees to cause protein denaturing to the hair producing cells that, contain melanocytes (cells that contain pigment). Without this happening your result will be photowaxing this is where the cell is only modified which equals a temporary reduction or a hair follicle that produces a finer hair lighter in colour. Once this occurs it makes it very difficult to remove the hair and gain results once the needed settings are applied. This is why it hurts.......but the treatment is so quick and you honestly forget the pain almost as soon as its finished.

Efficacy of IPL Hair Reduction is dependant on the following:

Hair colourSkin typeFluenceHair cycle

Hair containing more melanin (pigment) will absorb more energy and will have a more effective outcome with less number of treatment sessions.

Black to dark brown hair= best results

Brown to light brown hair = good results

Blonde and red hair = minimal results

Grey and white hair = no results

Lets talk settings

Nanometer is the depth of penetration for hair it’s a spectrum of 500nm - 1200nm.

Fluence is the measurement of energy measured in what we refer to as 'joules'

Pulse width is how long it is delivered for' - in other words how long it is applied to the skin for

Confused yet? Don’t worry I've got this mastered!

Hair grows in 3 distinct phases:

Anagen phases (the growing phase)Catagen phase (the transition phase)Telogen phase (the resting phase)

ONLY hair in the Anagen phase will absorb light causing heating and denaturing (destroying) of the hair growing cells and there is only a percentage in this phase at a time. This also varies on each region of the body.

To sum it up hair must be in the anagen phase, contain colour, follicular cells are heated to 70 degrees which causes cell destruction.

When not to book in, or reasons the therapist may not follow through with the appointment these are known as 'contraindications'.

Sunburn (wait atleast a month for the skin to recover)Recent tanning (wait until skin has lightened)Fake tan (give yourself two weeks off)Recent waxing, tweezing ( we need the hair in the follicle! Without the hair there is nothing to treat! Wait for 4 weeks)Open lesions, infected skin, cutsTattoosPregnancy and breastfeedingPhotosensitive medications (accutane)DiabetesLupus (may be stimulated by light)Porphyria (a disease causing extreme sensitivity of the skin to light)Very dark skinActive Skin Diseases (vitiligo, ezcema, psoriasis, herpes simplex)CancerHistory of keloid scarringEpilepsyNo retinoic acid 2 weeks priorSkin peels 2 weeks prior

Unfortunately there are clients that may fall into a category that may affect the outcome. These being:

Hirsutism (excessive growth on regions of the body due to excess androgenic hormones) Medical intervention is requiredPubertyThe pill (some have an anti-androgenic effect)MenopausePregnancy (yep after those treatments prior to pregnancy the hair may grow back during pregnancy due to those hormones)

So what goes down in the treatment room??

After your thorough consultation the therapist will:

Cleanse skin removing sunscreen, oils and makeupParameters are chosenSkin is marked outEye protection is given for bothApplication of cold gelTreatment is commenced and the oohs and aarghs begin!

Post Treatment Changes

Mild to moderate erythema (severe erythema may indicate a burn)Perifollicular inflammationMild swelling of surrounding tissueShrinking of hair shaft

Over next 3 weeks

Slowed hair growthShedding of hair 2 to 3 weeks after treatment

After Care really isn't stressful, basically:

Wear sunscreen (which you should be doing anyway)Avoid heat - showers, spas, the sun, hot temperaturesDo not remove hair from the follicleCall the clinic if you are concerned!

Here at The Beauty Bar I am proud to own a clinically proven medical grade IPL device made by Cutera in the USA that is FDA approved and it has not failed me or a client yet......thanks for reading my blog x

without uncertainty!

You may not have heard of Skin Needling before, but it's a treatment you WANT to find out about. And, sooner rather than later.

Also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, this treatment is revolutionising rejuvenation!

As we age, the collagen production slows, which causes the skin to age. Skin needling is intended to stimulate the skin for natural collagen induction.

It helps with absorption of active ingredients, skin tightening, lifting and rejuvenation, acne scars and promotes wound healing, improves wrinkles and fine lines, minimises pore size, improves stretch mark appearance and more.

Dermapens Advanced Oscillating Vertical Needling (AOVN™) technology uses multiple needles that vertically pierce the skin with an automatic vibrating function. When moved across the skins surface it stimulates natural collagen reproduction, whilst allowing fine channels to be created in the skin. The channels can carry up to 80% more topical nutrients, allowing for treatment delivery deep into the skin’s fibroblasts to feed the underlying cells found in the dermis and basal layer. This increased absorption of active ingredients into the skin creates stimulated repair and faster resurfacing results.

The wound healing response is the biological repair action that cascades within the skin after micro trauma. The microscopic puncture channels created by Dermapen™ create controlled regeneration giving you refreshed and revived skin.

Find out more about skin needling or collagen induction therapy click here