This treatment is available at: MIRA Clinic West Perth or MIRA Clinic Joondalup
Hair Reduction / Hair Removal
IPL for Photorejuvenation
Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment for hair removal
Removing unwanted hair is something many of us battle with every day. From unsightly dark patches, to ingrown hairs, to the battle of regrowth – the struggle continues. However, with IPL for hair removal, it’s possible to reduce unwanted hair and achieve long term hair-free skin.
What is IPL hair removal?
Intensive Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment for hair removal, much like IPL photorejuventation for skin, is non-invasive and non-surgical. It uses the same broad-spectrum light machine, however, different settings are used and a special filters are used to limit the wave-lengths of the light so it is targeted for hair removal.
Light pulses are transmitted over the surface of the skin to penetrate to the root of the hair. This pulsed light targets the pigment in the hair, converting it to heat, and damaging the follicle to reduce re-growth indefinitely. The light specifically targets the hair follicle and therefore there is minimal damage the surrounding tissues or skin. Following treatment, the damaged hair follicles will fall out and fail to regrow.
IPL for hair removal is most effective on those with black, brown, or dark red hair, set against fair skin. Hair growth anywhere on the body can be treated including underarms, bikini line, facial hair, arms and legs.
Your IPL hair removal treatment for hair reduction, IPL hair removal is suitable for:
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- Those with unwanted hair
- Those experiencing persistent hormonal hair growth (eg. PCOS symptoms)
- Those suffering from frequent ingrown hairs or irritation from shaving and waxing
- Those looking to save money in the long term on waxing and shaving services and products
Areas treated with IPL hair removal will result in a reduction in hair growth and in most cases after a course of treatments, will remain hair free indefinitely. As hairs are in different cycles of hair growth, it generally takes a few sessions to remove most hair from the treatment area. Those with a hormone imbalance may also find they need to keep up regular IPL hair removal treatments in order to maintain their results.
IPL hair removal treatments at Perth’s MIRA Clinic
MIRA Clinic’s IPL hair removal treatments are performed only by our experienced therapists. We use the latest technology and a top-of-the-line machine, the Lumenis M22.
We treat each of our patients and clients as individuals, understanding that everybody has unique skin concerns and will have different skin goals in place. It’s important to discuss your hair removal concerns with our team at MIRA Clinic so as we may assess the best suited treatment for your situation.
MIRA Clinic is here to help you achieve maximum results for your skin. We provide each of our clients with all of the information necessary to make an informed decision on treatments, and we supply extensive aftercare instruction so you’ll always know what to expect and can maximise your results.
It’s our goal at MIRA Clinic to ensure our clients are absolutely comfortable and happy with our treatments, we’re here to answer any questions you may have and guide you through any treatment process.
FAQs
Getting your IPL Hair Reduction / Hair Removal treatments
What does an IPL hair removal session involve?
Our therapist will provide you with protective goggles against the light, and a cool gel will be applied to the area. The Lumenis M22 IPL machine glides smoothly over your skin, and the pulsing light passes through a liquid cooled crystal to improve comfort. The light will penetrate the skin surface to affect the targeted hair follicle sitting underneath.
Will I experience any pain with the IPL hair removal?
Some clients describe a quick warm rubber band flicking sensation, lasting only a flash of time with each light pulse. The sensation is completely temporary and most clients tolerate this feeling very well with no anaesthetic needed. However, it’s possible to apply a numbing cream to the treatment area prior to your session to reduce any potential discomfort. Topical anaesthetic cream can be purchased
How can I prepare for the IPL hair removal treatment?
- Ensure a fully shaved treatment area, do not wax or remove hair at the root for at least one month prior to your treatment (the treatment can’t work unless there are hair follicles present)
- Arrive with clean skin free of make-up
- Do not apply any fake tan and ensure any tan is removed prior to treatment
- Ensure the hair being treated is not bleached and your skin is not freshly exfoliated prior to treatment
- Avoid the sun prior to treatment for at least 4 weeks to avoid tanning
What can I expect after an IPL hair removal treatment?
Immediately after treatment you may feel warmth in the treated area, this should subside by the end of the day. This reaction is completely normal and can be accompanied by red or swollen skin, which also indicates the treatment has affected the hair follicles and is a good sign.
Your therapist will wipe away the cool gel after treating the area, which will take with it some of the hairs. Over the next week to two you will see your hairs falling out on their own, which is a sign the treatment has worked. After your first session as much as 80% of the hair within the treatment area will be gone. However, it is normal for many of these hairs to regrow in the next month or two. Which is why it’s recommended you follow up with further treatments to affect the hairs within different stages of their growth cycle. This is also the reason we often sell IPL hair reduction services in packages of multiple treatments.
Is there any down time following IPL hair removal?
There is no down time necessary with IPL hair removal, and you can go back to your normal activities. If you have any concerns, please discuss with our MIRA Clinic team.
Are there any special aftercare instructions?
- Avoid warm showers and sunlight. If your skin feels particularly warm you can apply a cool compress
- Apply 30+ SPF when going outside
- Avoid shaving or any hair removal for one week following treatment to allow hairs to fall out naturally
- Avoid swimming pools with chlorinated water
- Do not exfoliate or perform any skin peels for at least one week
How long until all of my unwanted hair is gone?
Some hair will fall out immediately following treatment, and the many more hair follicles should fall out over the following two weeks. We recommend a course of treatments to catch the hairs in different cycles of hair growth for best results.
How many treatments do I need?
Most of our clients require at least 4-8 treatments, approximately 4-6 weeks apart. Our MIRA Clinic team will be able to advise you on the best treatment plan once we review your hair growth and the affected area.
How long do the results last?
We recommend returning for maintenance treatments every 12 months to capture any new hair growth. However, once follicles are damaged during your initial treatment, the hair reduction is permanent.
Who should avoid IPL hair removal?
- Those with very fair hair may not have enough melanin for the treatment to target follicles, and will not see as effective results
- Those with tanned (real or fake) or sunburnt skin
- Those with a darker skin tone
- Those using medication which causes the skin to become sensitive to light
- Those with skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis to the area being treated
- Those with any infected or broken skin within the treatment area
- Individuals prone to seizures
- Pregnant women
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