IPL is different to laser as it has a distinct light that can be used on a wider variety of skin types, making it safer for darker skins. It also uses a large applicator head to accommodate a broad beam of light. Therefore, it can treat a larger area of the body quicker.

IPL works by sending an intense pulse of light down the dark hair shaft to heat the root of the hair. If the hair is a healthy growing hair then it will not be able to re-grow, as all the nutrients that it needs to grow will have been destroyed.

When you first come to see us a thorough consultation will be conducted to analyse your medical history and confirm that IPL will be able to remove all normal healthy growing hairs. If there is any reason to doubt your eligibility for treatment then you will be referred to your GP before any treatment can commence. A patch test will be taken on an area close to where you want the hairs removing, to see how your skin and hairs react to the IPL system. You will then be sent home to monitor your skin reaction.

It is very important that no hairs are removed with tweezing, waxing, threading, electrolysis or bleaching. This is to allow the hairs to settle into their normal hair growth cycle so that the maximum amount of hairs will be actively growing at the time you have the IPL treatment, so you receive optimum results.

• Diabetes
• Any form of suntan
• Grey or white hairs