Aesthetic

IPL hair removal and skin rejuvenation

IPL or intense pulsed light is a technology used by cosmetic and medical Practitioners to perform various treatments for aesthetic and therapeutic purposes. IPL is not laser.

The technology uses a high-powered hand-held computer-controlled flashgun to deliver an intense, visible broad-spectrum pulse of light. By using cut-off filters specific structures and chromophores (colours in the skin and hair) can be targeted. Once targeted these structures and chromophores can be heated to create a safe level of destruction which is then absorbed by the body and removed.

IPL is a multi-platform technology that can offer the following treatments:

  1. HAIR REMOVAL

    Unwanted hair can be effectively removed, such as from the legs, bikini area, underarms and arms, male back or chest and the face. IPL offers virtually pain free permanent hair reduction.

    Considerations include that the hair should be darker than the surrounding skin and lightly shaved before treatment. It works best on light to medium skin tones. 6-10 sessions given approximately monthly deliver the best results.

  2. PHOTO REJUVENATION

    This typically involves treatment of the face, neck and/or décolleté. Signs of sun-damage, such as pigmentation, can generally be successfully reduced or removed completely. IPL can improve the appearance of Poikiloderma of Civatte (POC). A common condition presenting as redness with mottled pigmentation usually on the sides of the neck.

    IPL also stimulates collagen production and helps to improve skin laxity so is very much indicated for photo-ageing.

    IPL offers a gentle resurfacing of the skin leaving the surface looking more even toned, brighter and more youthful.

    2-4 sessions given every 3 weeks are advised for general photo rejuvenation.

  3. PHOTO VASCULAR

    Areas of dilated and broken capillaries (telangiectasis) and blood spots (cherry angiomas) can be treated on the face and other bodily sites, such as the legs.

    IPL is also an extremely successful treatment in the management of the inflammatory facial condition Rosacea. It will help to reduce redness, improve the quality of the skin and play an important part in the management of the condition.

    2-4 sessions given every 3 weeks is recommended for most photo vascular work but for rosacea management a longer treatment plan is required.

  4. ACNE

    Specific acne pustules can be targeted to help kill the bacteria responsible for the eruptions (Propionbacterium acnes). The inflammation associated with the lesions will also be targeted by the IPL resulting in the pustules appearance less livid, becoming dryer and starting to heal.

    This specific treatment of active pustules can be given weekly.

    Also integrated into the programme would be photo rejuvenation to help to even out any skin discolouration and reduce the visibility of acne scarring to provide a more uniform, smooth and less eruptive skin surface.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS for IPL

IPL is a safe, gentle, pain-free and well tolerated therapy. There is very little down-time with any of the above mentioned treatments. Typically the skin may look pink, like mild sun-burn for a few hours.

The main consideration is that you cannot have IPL treatment of any kind with an active sun tan. You will be asked to apply an SPF 30 should you need to go into the sun. You will also be advised to avoid the use of a sunbed and application of any fake tans during a treatment programme.

DERMAPEN TM

WHAT IS DERMAPEN?

Dermapen TM is the latest and most innovative form of skin needling. It is a medically engineered device that utilises 12 surgical grade micro needles to deliver effective skin needling. This is also termed collagen induction therapy.

The micro needles are housed within a disposable, one-use module placed within an automated pen device. Both the speed and depth of penetration can be adjusted by the Practitioner. The pen glides effortlessly across all facial and body contours and the treatment is generally well tolerated.

HOW DOES DERMAPEN WORK?

As multiple microscopic puncture channels are lightly delivered into the skin a natural scarless wound healing response is initiated. Natural growth factors are released to stimulate the collagen and elastin framework within the skin. This results in the skin becoming more rejuvenated, regenerated, firmer and more youthful. It is a powerful treatment against ageing.

DOES IT HURT?

The treatment is generally well tolerated with no need for any local anaesthetic to be applied.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED?

  1. Ageing skins with lines and wrinkles
  2. Sun-damage
  3. Pigmentation
  4. Scarring, acne scars and stretch marks
  5. Rosacea
  6. Hair regeneration
  7. Enlarged pores

Results may take several weeks to be noticeable, but will often be seen after just one treatment. Generally most clients benefit from a course which typically involves 3-6 sessions given every 6-8 weeks.

HOW DOES THE SKIN LOOK AFTER TREATMENT?

The skin will look fairly flushed and pink after treatment. The recovery time is 1-2 days.

Red vein and minor blemish removal

FACIAL RED VEINS

These are technically called telangiectasia but are more commonly called dilated, broken or split capillaries. They are extremely common on the face, especially as we age.

(Please note that leg spider or thread veins do not respond well to diathermy. Micro Sclerotherapy is generally the treatment of choice which is available at the medi-spa).

The majority of facial dilated vessels can be easily treated with electrocautery using a fine gold probe and diathermic (heat) current to gently cauterise and remove them. Each treatment only takes approximately 15 minutes and most clients only require 1-2 sessions.

Similar vascular blemishes, such as spider naevi and Campbell de Morgan spots can also be successfully treated.

If facial red veins are part of a Rosacea condition then a combination of diathermy, IPL and Dermapen TM is often recommended for best results.

SKIN TAGS

These are small, fleshy, benign growths that may vary in size from a pinhead to several centimetres. They may appear anywhere on the body, sometimes in clusters but may present singularly. They are most common where the skin receives friction, such as under the arms, groin, neck and even on the eyelids.

Small skin tags are effectively removed with diathermy but larger ones are better suited to removal by Cryopen or surgical excision (both treatments are available at the medi-spa)

MILIA

Milia are small dome-shaped bumps usually pearly white in colour. They are simply benign cysts that occur when keratin (the protein that makes up the skin) becomes trapped beneath the surface. They commonly occur around the eyes, cheeks, nose and chin. They may appear in multiples. The contents cannot be squeezed out as there is no surface opening and the matter is often fairly solid and congested. Milia can be easily and successfully removed with diathermy.

With each of the above treatments allow up to 10-14 days for full healing. Red veins heal as small scratch marks. Skin tags generally detach and milia will look like healing spots. Avoid UV light during the healing process.

MICRO SCLEROTHERAPY

Microsclerotherapy

This is a well established medical technique for treating leg thread and spider veins. A solution is injected into the unwanted vessels using a very fine needle which irritates them. This causes them to slowly disperse and fade away over the next few weeks.

Consultation

Firstly it is important to establish your medical suitability for treatment and identify any underlying causes for the thread veins. As part of the Consultation process you will see Mr. Simon Payne (Consultant and General Vascular Surgeon) at Spire Hospital. He will make the medical decision for your suitability for treatment and whether he thinks there may be varicose veins feeding into the thread veins. He may advise a Venous Duplex Ultrasound scan if he believes this to be the case. If these varicose veins are not treated first then you are unlikely to obtain a good result with microsclerotherapy for the thread veins.

Other Treatments

Thread and spider veins in the legs can also be treated with Vein Away TM and IPL, both of which are available treatments at Grace Medi-Spa. Microsclerotherapy is the gold standard for leg thread veins as it will help to target the feeder veins that supply them.

Treatment

Most patients only require one or two sessions of Microsclerotherapy, depending how many thread or spider veins they have. Treatment takes less than an hour and involves no anaesthetic. It is only mildly uncomfortable.

Aftercare

Immediately after the treatment graduated compression stockings will be applied. You will be advised to wear these continuously day and night for up to 14 days. The compression supports the healing process and will help to prevent any post-treatments complications.

There is no down-time as such and you can immediately drive or return to work.

The healing vessels may take up to 6-8 weeks to fully fade. During that time you must avoid UV exposure.

Any considerations

Microsclerotherapy is an extremely safe and well respected treatment. It is essentially a cosmetic procedure so the risks are predominantly related to the aesthetic outcome. The most common ones are brown staining and matting.

  1. Some patients develop a brown staining along the path of some or all of the treated vessels. This will fade but may take several months.
  2. Some patients may develop a blush of fine red capillaries at some of the injection sites. This again will fade but may take several months or can be treated successfully with IPL.

At Grace Medi-Spa we are Members of The British Association of Sclerotherapists which provide exacting standards and on-going education.