top of page

WHAT IS IPL AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

IPL is short for Intense Pulsed Light. The pulsed light is administered in very specific short wavelengths to reach the hair follicles in the skin, and no further into the body. The IPL is attracted to darkness of the hair and heats it up to weaken or destroy the follicle.

 

The hair follicles that are in their “growing” phase, which is about 20% of the hairs at any one time, are affected the most significantly in each treatment.

 The other 80% of hairs that are in their “resting” phase will be weakened during each treatment, except hairs that are too light in colour – IPL will have no effect on light, red or grey hairs.

  2 weeks after the IPL treatment the hairs should start falling out and most people experience a few weeks of being almost hair free. ​

 

​After a few weeks the remaining hairs will start growing back but they should appear finer and some hairs will not grow back at all. When all of these new hairs have grown back in (between 4 – 10 weeks depending on the area of treatment), we repeat the treatment again.  

 

It is important to stick to the necessary time frame in between treatments.

Coming in too soon will mean we will miss treating some of the hairs that haven’t come through yet, then they will emerge shortly after treatment and be a treatment behind the rest of the hairs, prolonging the program.

  Leaving too long in between treatments is considered a maintenance session, there will be no improvement in the results compared to the previous session  

​

Generally 5– 12 treatments is required to get maximum results from your IPL sessions. Some people may be satisfied with the level of hair reduction after as little as 5 treatments, others may want to achieve maximum results.  Lower legs generally need fewer treatments, brazilians and underarms are average and chins/ hormonal hair growths need more treatments.

​

 Please note – it is unlikely to achieve 100% permanent hair removal. At least 80% is generally expected, the hairs that remain are usually too light/ fluffy or stubborn for the IPL to treat any further.

After the initial program the hair follicles can remain dormant for years, however hormones and aging can cause the hairs to regrow/ thicken up over time.   

​

Maintenance

When you are satisfied with the level of hair reduction achieved, we progress onto maintenance sessions. It is advised to have 2-3 maintenance IPL sessions a year to maintain your results.  

You can resume waxing (if desired) during the maintenance phase.

What does a treatment session involve?

I mark out the area of treatment and assess the hair growth and condition of the skin. We can’t treat over irritated or damaged skin, or over tattoos (they will burn immediately).  I trim any hairs that are still visible

We both wear protective glasses as the light emitted, while completely safe, it is very bright

After applying a cooling gel the handpiece is pressed firmly against the skin and flashed. You will feel a hot flick against the skin. This should not be painful - expected discomfort should be between 1- 5 out of 10. Some areas are more delicate, such as over bones or where there is greater concentrations of hairs. I may use ice on certain areas (ie top lip, Brazilian) to counteract expected spikes in your tolerance to the flash 

The treatment itself is generally very quick and easy.  An underarm takes 15 minutes, a top lip 5 minutes, female Brazilian 30 minutes. Legs and larger body areas such as the back take the most time, up to an hour.

I work methodically over the treatment area applying 1 flash every 2 – 3 seconds. The handpiece treats multiple hairs in each flash.

 The area will likely feel a mild tingle immediately after the flash. When the treatment is finished the skin may be slightly red, with dots around the follicles that may be slightly raised. Some freckles may look slightly darker

There is no downtime after treatment, you can continue on with your day but sunscreen must be applied if the area will be exposed to sunlight, for at least 2 weeks after treatment.  

Preparation

  • Please stop shaving or trimming a few days before treatment so I can see how many hairs are present and how they are responding to treatment

  • No unprotected sun exposure or fake tan application for 2 weeks prior to treatment. We may have to turn down the intensity of the treatment and results will be lessened

  • Do not take Anti Inflammatory Medications on the day of treatment (Ibuprofen, naproxen) these can make your skin more sensitive to the IPL

  • Do not apply vitamin A (retinol) products to the area 2 days prior to treatment.

Expectations and Results

The treatment affects every client differently. Skin colour, hair colour/ thickness, hormonal changes and medications can all affect how the treatment will work for each client. For instance, a dark skinned client with lighter hairs will need more sessions during their program than someone who has light skin and dark hairs.  Thicker hairs will require more treatments than someone with finer hairs.

Exact results and program length cannot be predicted but we are confidant that you will achieve at least 80% reduction in hair thickness, darkness and density if you are approved for treatment.

In some rare cases, IPL provides very little results usually due to hormonal factors or very deep follicles. If there is no improvement after 3 sessions we will recommend to discontinue treatment.  IPL may still be effective on a different area of your body.

We have a partial money back policy if ongoing results are not as expected, please read the seperate terms and conditions for this policy  

After Care

  • Treat the skin as if it is slightly delicate for 24 hours – ie no harsh or antiaging products, no super hot baths or showers, no exfoliating or shaving.

  • Apply sunscreen to the area (if exposed to the sun) for at least 2 weeks. Unprotected skin may result in unusual long term pigmentation changes.

  • If the skin feels burnt (very intense tingle/itch/ burn sensation that gets worse rather than subsiding) apply an ice or cool pack to the area immediately until the burning sensation subsides, let me know if you experience any burning. Most complications and pain of a burn can be avoided completely by cooling the area as quickly as possible.

  • The hairs will continue to grow for approximately 2 weeks before they start to shed. You can continue to shave as often as you like from 24hrs after treatment. Do not wax or forcibly pull the hairs out for the duration of the series of treatments

  • Exfoliate the area from 10days after treatment to help hairs shed

  • The next treatment can be performed when all the new hairs have grown back. It is better to wait longer rather than come in too soon for the next treatment.  

Side Effects

Expected Side effects after treatment include redness, swelling around the follicles, mild tingling, mild sensitivity. This can last from 30 minutes up to 24 hrs

Some freckles and excess pigment can appear darker (sometimes black) for 2-4 weeks after treatment. Then they may lighten or disappear completely

Also common is hives, it is fine to take an antihistamine tablet before or after treatment

​

Rare side effects include long term changes in normal skin colour. Darker skins may appear lighter, this may take months to return to normal. Unprotected Sun exposure can cause semi permanent darkening or reddening of the treated area

As this treatment causes heat it is always a rare possibility that a burn may occur. I am constantly monitoring for hot spots and have measures in place to quickly stop a potential burn and minimise any complications. It is very unlikely that you will experience complications from a burn however it is possibility

A very rare side effect, usually limited to those with hormonal disorders such as Polycystic ovary Syndrome, is the possibility of Paradoxical hair growth (new hair that starts growing around the treatment site)

Results Assurance Policy

IPL Hair Reduction is usually highly effective on suitable hair types, and most clients achieve excellent results. However, as individual responses can vary, there is a small possibility that results may not meet expectations. At Beautyfixx, client satisfaction and realistic expectations are extremely important to us. While it is uncommon for suitable candidates not to achieve satisfactory results, this policy ensures transparency and fairness in the unlikely event that optimal hair reduction is not achieved.

​

Policy outline

  • The first three (3) IPL treatments are non-refundable.

  • After the initial three sessions, continuation of treatment is a mutual decision, based on your individual progress and response.

  • Results are assessed every few treatments through photographic evaluations, clinical observation and client feedback.

  • Maximum results are typically achieved within 6–12 sessions, depending on the treatment area and individual factors.

If, during the course of the Active IPL Program it is determined that results are not progressing satisfactorily, and it is deemed unlikely that continued treatment will achieve at least 80% hair reduction then a 50% credit of the cost of treatments beyond the initial three sessions may be issued for the treated area(s) and treatment ceased *

 

Active Treatment Program Eligibility

The credit policy applies only during the Active IPL treatment program, where the focus is on regular sessions to actively reduce hair growth.

 Once a client transitions to Maintenance phase (when satisfactory hair reduction has been achieved), where the focus is to maintain results, this credit policy no longer applies.

Maintenance Clients (existing BeautyFixx IPL clients or clients who have had IPL elsewhere) may wish to start a new Active Treatment Program on a previously treated area that has regrown somewhat - due to lack of maintenance treatments, after a hormonal episode or other individual reasons. The credit policy applies to each new Active Treatment Program but the treatment count starts at one. Previous treatments are not counted towards the credit calculation

 

Client Responsibilities

To ensure optimal results and eligibility under this policy, clients must:

  • Follow all pre and post treatment home care instructions as provided.

  • Attend treatments at the recommended intervals advised by Beautyfixx.

  • Avoid actions that may compromise results e.g., waxing/plucking  or leaving too long between treatments

  • Failure to adhere to home care instructions or recommended treatment timing may affect results and eligibility for credit under this policy.

 

Credit Conditions

  • Credit is not redeemable for cash.

  • Credit has no expiry date

  • Credit may be used toward:

Any Beautyfixx services, products, Gift vouchers and further IPL sessions

 

  1.   If Credit Is used For IPL on the same treatment area:

The client acknowledges that further treatment outcomes are their responsibility.

No additional compensation or credit will be available for that area.

 

  1.   If Credit Is used For a New Treatment Area:

A new Active Treatment Program begins.

A new credit policy applies to the new area from the commencement of treatment.

bottom of page