Facial laser hair removal treatments from laser clinics; Tips to be aware of.
Usually, nearly all cosmetic laser treatments technically operate the same way when performing a hair removal procedure. The parameters on the IPL or cosmetic laser (joules, milliseconds, pulse, etc.) should be set based on the skin analysis and history completed on the patient.
It is highly recommended to instruct clients not to wear dark clothing near the area to be treated as the pigment in the clothing could potentially be absorbed by the aesthetic laser or IPL light and can result in a burn. The patient should be instructed to refrain from using any body washes, lotions, cosmetics, or any epidermis medications the day of the procedure.
A lot of people may prefer to have a topical anesthetic applied prior to the procedure. If any residue of the anesthetic remains, it should be wiped clean from the epidermis. In almost all situations, a cooling carbamide peroxide gel or other cooling apparatus is applied to the dermis.
A spot test, or patch test, should be carried out on the intended procedure area. (Compact light paper are often offered for spot testing patients.) In the test procedure, the paper is positioned across the location to be treated and firing of the laser or Intense pulsed light (IPL) device will be used over the paper. After 10 or 15 minutes, the spot is checked for strange redness swelling, or other unexpected reactions. If the area emits a slight reddish hue without a other abnormalities, the device configurations are optimal. Clients with darker skin types or suntanned dermis could experience a paradoxical response where the laser or light therapy may stimulate more hair to grow rather than causing follicular destruction. People with dark or ethnic skin types should be spot tested a month before proceeding with a full procedure.
A number of cosmetic lasers or IPLs, Intense pulsed light (IPL) in particular, require a second pass in the intended procedure area at a different parameter. Before proceeding with the second pass, the epidermis should be diligently examined for adverse effects.
IPL laser hair removal: Post Treatment
After a IPL or cosmetic laser hair removal treatment or procedure he patient may experience a mild burning sensation and redness following the hair removal treatment. This is tends to be expected and is frequently relieved by applying ice packs and an oral anti-inflammatory or pain medication if warranted by the physician. Publicity to ultraviolet light (sun, tanning beds/booths) should be avoided. A sunscreen with an SPF 20 UVA and UVB protection should be applied to the skin prior to leaving the health care clinic.
In the case of burning or blistering, a topical antibiotic medication should be applied to the area covered by a loose fitting, non-adherent bandage. The MD should be consulted.
A number of clients may experience pigment changes like lightening or darkening of the skin that could last for weeks or possibly months.
It is crucial to instruct the patient about the process of hair follicle destruction. The patient should be made aware that an actively growing hair is the only follicle that will respond to laser and light therapy. In the weeks following the treatment, the portion of the hair that remains under the dermis (after shaving prior to the procedure) needs to be expelled. The patient will begin to view these hairs protrude from the follicles which could be misinterpreted as regrowth. This is especially more noticeable in areas of the body which has thicker or more coarse hair such as the axillae and genetalia. After a week following the treatment, it is possible to instruct your patient to use a mild loofa or exfoliating sponge during showering to aid in the expulsion of the hairs.
The patient should also be informed that no laser or Intense pulsed light (IPL) device can destroy all of the hair follicles especially after only one procedure. A number of hairs are in their dormant state, plenty of have been placed into a prolonged dormant state because of the treatment effects, and most have been transformed into vellus hairs. Therefore, several treatments are essential at monthly intervals for an optimal outcome. On top of that, a maintenance treatment performed at yearly intervals is advised.
If you are keen on figuring out what plastic surgeons and other physicians leading medspas and skin clinics think about the latest Intense pulsed light (IPL) and cosmetic laser skin technologies offerings by Sciton, Candela, Alma, Cutera, Cynosure, Lumenis, Solta, Syneron, Palomar , as well as applications such as Thermage, Slimlipo, filler injections, mesotherapy and Melasma, be sure you take a look at all the cosmetic fractionated laser forums on Medical Spa MD, a community of medical professionals in cosmetic medicine.
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