FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERERS
Q: Is an
IPL a Laser?
A: NO. An intense pulsed
light (IPL) is a technology similar to medical lasers. Unlike lasers, however, IPL uses a carefully selected broadband
spectrum of intense light to target the melanin pigment in the hair follicles. Intense pulsed light is the gold
standard for permanent hair reduction because of the excellent results, comfort level and minimal risk of complications.
Q: Will all my hair be removed?
A: Since hair grows in three phases and hair follicles can only be destroyed
in the active growing phase, multiple treatments will be-necessary for optimal results. Typically about 20-30% of the
hair will be in the active growing phase at any given time. About 50-60% of that active growing hair can be expected
to be permanently reduced after each treatment. Therefore, many individuals experience permanent reduction after about
5-7 treatment. Not all individuals will experience the same permanent hair reduction results.
Q: Can IPL
treatments be done on any part of the body?
A: The only area that is typically not treated is the area underneath
the eyebrow, which is too close to the eyes for safety issues.
Q: Will the NannoLight procedure be uncomfortable?
A: Most patients find the process surprisingly comfortable. Hair removal treatments are so quick and easy, the comfort
level of the treatments varies from person to person based on a number of factors and also varies due to location on the body
and face. For more sensitive individuals and areas, a 4% topical anesthetic gel can be applied one hour before treatment.
Q. Are there any restrictions on my activity after treatment?
A. You can return to work or resume normal activities immediately following your procedure.
However, since some redness may occur, you may want to plan your work or social engagements accordingly. This may last from
a few minutes to several days depending on the area and skin sensitivity.
Q. What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?
A. You MUST stop plucking or waxing hair for several weeks for
laser to be optimally effective. We have a variety of light-based devices to safely treat all skin types and skin colors including
dark and tanned skin. Our highly trained professionals educate you on your options and tailor a treatment program that best
suits your personal needs. Together you and the laser specialist can decide if your expectations will be met and which treatment
is the best
option for you.
Q.
How does hair grow?
A. Hair forms
in a pouch-like structure below the skin called a hair follicle. What we see as hair is actually the hair shaft, which is
the keratinized, hardened tissue that grows from this follicle.
Q. Who are the best candidates for the procedure?
A. The best hair color for the laser or pulsed light to target is dark brown or black
hair. Thicker hair absorbs light energy better than fine hair.
Q. What happens after a procedure?
A. Immediately after a treatment the hairs will be in the regressive phase (catagen phase), which
lasts about 3 days, during which the hair stops growing but is not yet shed (about 3 - 4% of our body hair is in this phase
at any given time). Many patients report that hair starts to shed immediately, and can be found on a towel following a shower.
We recommend not waxing, tweezing or using any methods to remove the hairs following your treatments.
Q. What do the treatments involve?
A. The patient is asked to wear eye protection. The area to be
treated must be shaved ahead of time. A small hand piece is placed against the skin and the device is activated. The hand
piece is repositioned and the device is activated again. The size or the area treated will determine the number of activations,
or "pulses", required to treat the desired area.
Q. Is aftercare generally required?
A. Immediately after the treatment the skin will often look pink
and slightly swollen, similar to a sunburn. This will subside within 72 hours and the skin will return to normal. Occasionally,
a patient will have temporary pigment changes, blistering, or scabbing. In the unlikely event of blistering, we recommend
keeping the area moist with a product like Bacitracin. As with electrolysis, cases of scarring have been reported, but these
are extremely rare. A test spot is the best determinant of how each individual's skin will react.
Q: Can I
have IPL Treatments if I have blonde, red, grey or white hair?
A: In simple terms, the greater the contrast between your hair colour
and your skin colour, the more easily we can achieve great results. If you have blonde or red hair you will need to have a
consultation with a practitioner to determine whether there is enough pigment in the hair for you to have a successful treatment.
Grey or white hairs are not always suitable for this type of treatment, as they usually do not contain sufficient melanin
to absorb light. Some people find a number of grey or white hairs remain visible after a course of IPL treatments. Research
is being carried out to find ways to boost the melanin in grey and white hair for long enough to allow successful IPL treatments
and we are monitoring these developments. Early melanin enhancement products appear to us to be prohibitively expensive.
