Common questions

If you don't find the answer to your questions, please contact us or call one of our centres to talk to a practitioner.

What is hair reduction with Intense Pulsed Light?

Intense Pulsed Light is a permanent hair reduction technique based on light and the principle of selective photothermolysis. The hair absorbs the energy from the light, where it converts into heat and inhibits the hair growth mechanisms of each hair follicle. Find out more.

Are permanent results achievable?

The reduction in hair growth is permanent for between 80% and 90% of hair follicles. After a course of treatment, there may be some limited hair growth (depending on the individual and this can be a few years subsequent to treatment). This limited growth will be much thinner and weaker than before and can be halted with a few top-up sessions.

How many sessions will I need?

The treatment consists of regular sessions over several months. The interval between sessions increases as hairs disappear and grow more slower. The number of sessions for Intense Pulsed Light treatment varies from patient to patient depending on skin and hair types, as well as the area treated. On average, 6 to 8 sessions are necessary to obtain the desired result (it may be a little more for facial areas). Find out more about the number of sessions.

How long does it take?

The length of a session depends on the area to be treated. As a guide, a session for the underarms or the bikini line can last for 15 minutes, whereas half legs can take up to one hour.

Which types of skin and hair can be treated?

The advanced technology we use allows us to treat a wide range of skin and hair types. The treatment is most effective when the hair is dark and the skin is light. We cannot treat people with a very light hair colour or a very dark skin colour. Find out more about skin types.

Can you treat all parts of the body?

For any session, you will wear goggles to protect your eyes from the pulsed light. These mean we can treat all parts of the body, but not areas immediately around the eyes.

Does it hurt?

Permanent hair reduction with Intense Pulsed Light is a non-painful treatment. Depending on the skin sensitivity of each individual, reactions to treatment range from painless to bearable irritation or a sensation of discomfort from the heat. There is no need of any anaesthesia for the skin.

What precautions should be taken?

Permanent hair reduction with Intense Pulsed Light requires no specific preparation, but some basic steps should be followed. Find out more here.

What is the difference between IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and laser permanent hair reduction?

When it comes to the effect on the skin and hair, there is no different between the hair reduction results achievable through either treatment. Both laser and IPL rely on the effects of light, however, IPL is a newer and more versatile technique which allows a wider range of skin and hair types to be treated. IPL is usually a much less uncomfortable treatment to have.