Used in the treatment of:

• Skin rejuvenation
• Enlarged pores 2-3 
• Acne with or without seborrhea

Treatments:

Can be done 1-2 week intervals

Pre & Post Care:

• Pre – UVA/B blocking cream on the treatment area at least 2-4 weeks prior to the treatment.
• Post – Erythema and some edema can be observed on the treated area. These are temporary symptoms that commonly appear after treatment, and can be improved by cooling the treated area using an ice pack, or coming balm
• Appropriate aftercare will be applied and generally no active cosmeceutical products for 3-5 days post treatment. You will be advised by your Clinician.

Contraindications:

• Healing disorders such as those caused by diabetes mellitus
• Connective tissue disease,
• Radiation therapy, or chemotherapy
• Skin allergy to local anesthetics, antibiotic medication, and or any other types of medication
• Tendency to photosensitivity (e.g., rash, pruritis or excessive erythema following exposure to
  sunlight or other light sources) –
• Psycho-neurotic patients including alcoholics or drug abusers
• Patients who are unable or unwilling to follow the post-treatment instructions
• Patients with cancer or other malignant diseases

Used in the treatment of:

• Professional tattoos
• Amateur tattoo
• Cosmetic tattoo
• Traumatic tattoo
• Medicinal tattoo

Treatments:

Advised 4- 6-week interval between treatments 

Pre & Post Care:

Pre – Patients should avoid excessive tanning or sunbathing before treatment. Dark-tanned skin can react violently to laser treatment and the occurrence of side effects is highly likely. A minimum period of 2-4 weeks of no UV exposure prior to treatment should be observed, during which patients should apply daily UVA/B sunblock, SPF 50.

Post – To minimize the patient’s discomfort, conduct sufficient cooling before, during and after the treatment. Cooling soothes the skin and reduces the occurrence of side effects.

The endpoint is when the skin over the tattoo turns white immediately after treatment. However, some pinpoint bleeding can occur immediately due to the deep-penetrating Q-switched beam, as the dermis is well vascularized. On the other hand, during the first 2-3 treatment sessions when the treatments are performed at relatively low fluences to selectively remove only the superficially-located particles, frosting usually occurs without pinpoint bleeding.

After treatment, it is recommended to protect the treated area by spreading an antibiotic ointment over the treated area, and using a dressing where possible. Dressing helps minimize inflammation in the affected parts, protects them until crust formation, and boosts skin regeneration. 

Avoid getting the area wet for two hours, no rubbing the area while washing and gentle wash, pat dry and avoid clothes rubbing and sun exposure. No exercise for 48 hours. I the area has blistered let it heal naturally without popping as its protecting the area, blistering can be common. No exercise until the blister has healed. 

Contraindications:

• If the patient’s skin tone is darker than the tattoo color, such as Fitzpatrick skin type V-VI, it is recommended that treatment should not be performed. If a treatment is performed, the treatment interval should be extended from a minimum of three months to a maximum of six months.
• Healing disorders such as those caused by diabetes mellitus
• Connective tissue disease,
• Radiation therapy, or chemotherap
• Skin allergy to local anesthetics, antibiotic medication, and or any other types of medication
• Tendency to photosensitivity (e.g., rash, pruritis or excessive erythema following exposure to sunlight or other light sources) – 
• Psycho-neurotic patients including alcoholics or drug abusers
• Patients who are unable or unwilling to follow the post-treatment instructions
• Patients with cancer or other malignant diseases

Used to treat:

• Fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagenesis.
• Reduce the appearance of large pores, benign pigmentation, freckles, melasma, facial and body hair removal, acne, vascular lesions and rosacea by using a light based system

AFTERCARE

• Wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure in the treated area to enhance results and to prevent adverse reactions and side effects which can make pigmentation worse.  Avoid hot showers, pools, spas and any heat inducing activities for 48hours  Apply only mild cleansers, moisturisers and cooling creams recommended by your treating clinician
• Do not pick the skin (let any pigment slough of naturally)
• Avoid any sunbeds and any form of tanning for 4 weeks pre and post treatment
• If any blistering, apply a antibiotic ointment and if it is scabby, keep it moisturized
• Call the clinic if you have any questions or concerns

Used to treat:

• Indications (benign)
• Freckles
• Solar lentigines
• Melasma (chloasma)
• Birthmarks – (Must have doctors approval)

Contraindications

• Any raised lesion/Mole
• BCC/SCC
• Seborrheic keratosis
• Tattoo

Characteristics of freckles

• Small, brown flat lesions
• More common with youth, lightening with age
• More common in skin types 1,11 and 111
• Seasonal variation

Characteristics of Solar Lentigines

• 1-3cm in diameter
• Brown, flat lesion
• Most common in skin types, 1,11 & 111
• Hypermelanosis possibly  extending to the dermis
• Increased no. of melanocytes in basal layer
• Caused by chronic sun exposure

Characteristics of Melasma

• Brown , flat pigmentation occurring in a symmetrical fashion
• Mainly females
• Increase melanocytes in epidermis
• Most difficult type of pigment to treat

Causative factors include:

• Genetics
• Sun exposure
• Hormonal changes
• Pregnancy
• Contraceptive pill

Characteristics of Common Pigmented Birthmarks

1. Nevus Spilus – Characterised by many small dark brown macules or papules covering an area of2>15cm. Malignant melanoma can develop
2. Nevus of Ota – Characterized by subtle to markedly disfiguring pigmentation with a blue hue due to ectopic melanocytes. Malignant melanoma can develop.
3. Cafe-au-Lait Macules (CALMS) – Characterised by flat pigmentation of varying shades of brown. Lesions can be 2>15cm

After IPL – Treating Pigmentation

• 1-48 hours later the melanin undergoes a chemical change and turns darker.
• The cells that contain the darker melanin travel towards the surface (stratum corneum) and slough off. This takes about 5-7 days on the face and 14-21 days other areas

AFTERCARE

• Wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure in the treated area to enhance results and to prevent adverse reactions and side effects which can make  pigmentation worse.
• Avoid hot showers, pools, spas and any heat inducing activities for 48hours 
• Apply only mild cleansers, moisturisers and cooling creams recommended by your treating clinician
• Do not pick the skin (let any pigment slough of naturally)
• Avoid any sunbeds and any form of tanning for 4 weeks pre and post treatment
• If any blistering, apply a antibiotic ointment and if it is scabby, keep it moisturized
• Call the clinic if you have any questions or concerns

Used to treat:

1. Unwanted hair growth – general areas where reduced hair is preferred.

1. Hypertrichosis – increase in hair growth which is not androgenic dependent. May occur with certain medications or diseases

2. Hair bearing flaps – used in surgical reconstruction can result in the presence of hair in unusual areas.

3. Hirsutism – Increase in terminal hair growth on androgen dependent areas (upper lip, chin, sideburns) due to excess androgenic hormones. Most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome

Hair colour and Skin Type:

• Hair containing more melanin will absorb more energy, darker the hair better the results and the lighter the skin the better treatment outcome in less number of treatment sessions
• Darker the skin the lower energy is to be used which generally means more sessions are required and may require long-term intervention
• Dependant on hair colour, treatment and hormonal change some hair will remain approx 20%, however the remaining hair will often be lighter and finer

Hair cycle:

• Hair grows in three distinct phases and because of these phases (ACT) IPL and laser do not remove all hair in one session, only hair in the anagen stage will respond to treatment and a certain percentage of hair will be in each phase
• Varies on each area of the body

Postpone treatment when:

• Recent unprotected sun exposure<1-2 weeks ago
• Tanned skin (best waiting until tan has lightened
• Fake tan applied<1-2 weeks ago
• Waxed, epilated or tweezed hair in the treatment area
• Known photosensitizing reaction
• Open lesions, cuts etc
• You will need to return at a later date

Other factors affecting treatment outcome: 

• Hirsutism
• Puberty
• Oral contraceptive pill (Some have an a anti-androgenic effect e.g Diane 35 Brenda, Yasmin
• Menopause
• Pregnancy

Post treatment changes and side effects:

• Immediate lasting 1-48 hours
• Mild to moderate erythema (reddening of the skin)
• Perifollicular Inflammation 
• Mild swelling of surrounding tissue 
• Shrinking of hair shaft

 Over the next 3 weeks:

• Slowed hair growth
• Shedding of hair 2-3 weeks after treatment

 Aftercare:

• Wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure in the treated area(s)
• Avoid hot showers, pools, spas and any heat inducing activities for 48hours 
• Apply only mild cleansers, moisturisers and cooling creams recommended by your treating clinician
• Do not pluck, pull or wax the hair from the follicle (shaving is ok) th hair which has been treated still needs to grow out and fall out
• Avoid any sunbeds and any form of tanning for 4 weeks pre and post treatment
• If any blistering, apply a antibiotic ointment and if it is scabby, keep it moisturized
• Call the clinic if you have any questions or concerns

Please Note: 

The specified treatment intervals may vary significantly for some individuals.

For example, some patients may have a significantly faster or slower hair growth. You must assess hair growth on an individual basis.

 The effectiveness of each IPL hair removal session is also dependant on the following:

• Hair Colour
• Skin type
• Fluence energy and delivery of energy
• Hair cycle