IPL/Laser Hair Removal

IPL is designed to target and destroy hair follicles by using the skin’s own pigmentation as a conductor. The melanin in hair contains a pigment which absorbs light and converts this light into heat. When the hair conducts this heat into its follicle, the follicle is destroyed and thus cannot produce any new hair. The innovative technology carefully filters the light from the flash-lamp in two distinct ways to ensure that only light with the correct wavelengths is allowed to reach the skin.

Although the time of the treatment varies on the body part that is targeted, with the face taking between 15-20 minutes and full legs taking 1-2 hours, with each flash of light the Lynton EXCELIGHT® IPL applicator covers a large area of the skin making it the fastest and most efficient way to permanently remove unwanted hair.

As no anaesthetic is required and individuals vary in their thresholds of pain, it is difficult to predict how much, if any, pain a particular individual client will feel when he or she receives the treatment. To date, patients describe a wide variety of sensations from a rubber band pinging their skin to a light shot of heat.

In terms of the number of treatments, there is no one standard for every client. The factors that affect an individual’s growth cycle are body site, hair density, thickness, ethnic origin, hormonal status and age. Most clinical studies and past client experience report that at least 3-6 treatments are needed, with 1-3 months intervals.

To prepare for treatment, it is vital not to remove any hair by other hair removal methods such as plucking, tweezing, waxing or use of hair removal creams in the month leading up to the treatment. This is extremely important to make the treatment effective as the presence of hair leads to the destruction of the hair follicle. Clients are asked to shave in between treatments to ensure hairs are not removed from the roots.

As hair growth occurs in a cycle, hair follicles go through resting and growing phases. Only follicles in the growth phase actually contain hair and can be destroyed by the heat. Thus, any resting hair follicles must enter the growth phase before they can be effectively destroyed by the Lynton EXCELIGHT® treatment. This is the reason that a client must go through a treatment cycle at regular intervals until all hair follicles have been through the growth phase.

IMPORTANT: It is also crucial to avoid tanning before and during hair removal treatments  as tanning causes the accumulation of pigment in the skin. Tanned skin will absorb more light, and it makes the hair removal process less effective.

After treatment, most clients require no post-treatment care. Clients with very sensitive skin, however, can benefit from applying an aloe vera based product on the treated skin for a few days after their session. Just as clients are encouraged to avoid sun exposure prior to treatments, they are also recommended to both apply sunscreen to their treated areas and limit sun exposure for a few weeks after treatment.

Hair removal achieved by IPL is permanent i.e. the hairs that are destroyed during treatment will never return but due to the hair growth cycle it is possible for dormant follicles to produce new hairs (which will be finer than the original hairs). Various factors determine the rate at which new hairs are produced, such as hormonal imbalances, hence some individuals may require further treatments in the future.

Clients with the following CANNOT be treated:

• Epilepsy
• Lupus
• History of keloid scarring
• Cancer
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Hypo pigmentation (loss of skin colour)
• Active tan *
• Pacemakers
• HIV

Clients with the following should seek permission from their GP:

• Cardiac conditions
• Steroids
• Bleeding disorders
• Clotting disorders
• Systemic diseases e.g. diabetes
• Acutane medications
• Photosensitive medication
• Chloasma (dark skin discolouration)

Clients with the following should be treated with caution:

• Herbal remedies
• Hormonal medication
• Migraine
• Cold sore
• Allergies
• 2 week old tan*
• Hyper pigmentation

Individual treatment plans are required for the following:

• Polycystic ovaries
• Hormonal imbalance
• Ethnic origins

* We cannot treat areas with an active tan (2 weeks old); allow tan to fade for at least one month before commencing treatment. Always use an SPF of at least 25.

If in doubt about suitability please consult your GP.