Consultation Rooms at
Boothz Beauty Clinic, 2a Cecil Road, Hale, Cheshire WA15 9PA
telephone 0161 941 4447
 
email : docroberts@doctors.org.uk
IPL THERAPY ( Intense Pulsed Light )

 
IPL,V Beam and Skin Surgery offered at your nearest Court House Clinic.
 
IPL offers a safe non-invasive and long-term improvement for these skin blemishes and imperfections, providing superior cosmetic results and outstanding patient satisfaction
 
The Intense Pulsed Light equipment is a medical device that uses light to treat a variety of problems. These include;
 
Acne
Rosacea/Excessive redness
Age Spots (Lentigo)
Removal of unwanted hair
Spider veins on the face
Seborrhoeic Keratosis (pigmented warts)

 
How does IPL work?
 
An intense light pulse is passed through the surface of the skin and is targeted onto the deeper skin structures such as hair follicles, sweat glands, pigmented spots and fine blood vessels. Different light wavelengths target structures with distinctive and separate colours. Intense light heats up the target area which becomes broken up and then gradually absorbed by the bodies natural defence system. The skin surface acts like a "window" and should not be affected
 
A cool clear gel is applied to the treatment area and a small crystal light source is pressed lightly onto the skin. The light pulse is felt as a momentary hot spot
 
Protective eyepads and dark glasses are worn during treatment as the light pulse is extremely powerful.
 
How many treatments are needed?
The number of treatments you are likely to require depends on the type of problem, the severity of the condition and the area to be treated. 4-6 treatment sessions are recommended with each session lasting up to approximately 30 minutes are needed. It is important to stress that your condition may require a number of treatments before it starts to improve, and that the condition may look worse before it responds.
 
What happens after treatment?
It is usual for the skin to go red like a sunburn for a few days. Very rarely, some patients react even more vigorously and develop bruising, scaling or, rarely, blistering. The chance of having a reaction is much greater if the skin is tanned or pigmented. Please be aware of the information about sunshine exposure (see do's and dont's)
 
Should I avoid sunshine exposure?
Suntan and dark skin have two effects on treatment- firstly the treatment is less likely to be effective- secondly the pigment in the skin absorbs the light energy and increases the risk of a reaction. To maximise the benefit of treatment and minimise the risk of side-effects, your skin needs to be as pale as possible at the time of treatment and you should avoid sunlight exposure for 3 weeks after treatment
 
Are treatments guaranteed to be effective.
These treatments are at the very forefront of medical progress and as with any medical treatment some patients do not respond. The very great majority of patients gain good improvement and ,commonly, complete resolution of their problem. A very tiny proportion are not helped by these procedures.
 
What are the side effects?
Discomfort
during treatment is mild to moderate and does not last long.
Swelling
is not harmful and subsides after a few days.
Frequent application of ice packs at home will help to reduce any swelling.
Cold Sores
may break out after treatment.
Preventative medication should be taken if you have suffered from cold sores in the past.
Skin discolouration
most often occurs with darker skin type or if the treatment is exposed to strong sunlight.
Bruising and crusting
occur very rarely and can take 1 to 2 weeks to clear.
Apply a mild antiseptic cream and avoid make-up on the affected area.
Hair Growth
A small number of men experience a reduction in beard growth following treatment.
This is minimised by using different settings on the machine.

 
Do's and Dont's
 
Before treatment
Be fit and well. Re-arrange your appointment if you flu symptoms or a viral infection
Avoid tanning creams or a suntan for a minimum of 4 weeks
Remove make-up and jewellery
Think about cold sore prevention
Read and sign the consent form

 
After treatment
Touch the skin gently. Do not apply make-up for 24 hours
Use an antiseptic such as tea tree lotion for a few days
Apply a cold face flannel or ice pack to hot or red areas within 1 hour of treatment and
repeat every 3 hours until bedtime.
Apply factor 25 sun protection and avoid excessive sun exposure
Contact Dr Roberts directly if you have any problems or queries