Hair Removal

What is IPL (Laser) Hair Removal?

Hair removal with the IPL is a safe, rapid alternative to shaving and waxing. It is the most common treatment for permanent hair reduction in the United States.

 

How can I tell if I’m a good candidate for IPL Hair Removal?

The best candidates are people with fair complexions, and dark coarse hair. Gray and blond hair cannot be removed with IPL or any laser. Darker skin clients have to be treated with lower settings, which usually means more treatments. Ultimately, the results will be the same most likely as lighter skin clients. Recently tanned skin (even sunless tanners) cannot be treated because the skin will over react to the IPL heat.

 

How many treatments are needed?

At any period of time, only about 60% of the hairs are in the particular growth phrase that is susceptible to the IPL. Therefore, 4-6 treatments with 3-8 week intervals are needed. Shorter intervals are for the lips, ears, nose, neck and bikini area. The back, chest and legs need about 6-8 weeks between treatments. More treatments than 6 might be needed, especially in the facial area, but those are covered by the Aesthetic Clinique 12 month pledge which is described later in this section.

 

Which areas can be treated?

• Bikini area
• Axilla (underarms)
• Legs
• Lip
• Back
• Beard
• Ears
• Chest
• Neck
• Nose

 

Does it hurt?

At the Aesthetic Clinique, we make sure you’re very comfortable. For the sensitive bikini area, we apply prescription grade topical numbing creams, and a cold roller before we start. During the procedure, chilled air is applied to the skin. In addition, the hand piece has a chilled head, making the overall experience very tolerable. For the most part, the other areas of the body are treated similarly except without the numbing creams. Almost anyone who has had other laser treatments say that ours was much more comfortable. Some female clients do note that just before their time of month, they experience a little more discomfort, so it might be a good idea to schedule around that time.

 

What should my expectations be regarding amount of hair loss?

One can expect permanent hair reduction but not complete permanent hair removal. NO type of laser or IPL hair removal can removed 100% of the hair. The goal should be between 75 and 85% hair loss. Sometimes the hair is shocked into a prolonged dormant phase and starts to re-grow months later. At the Aesthetic Clinique, we give a 12 month period of complimentary treatments, after a client has undergone 6 treatments, for any excessive hair growth.

 

What should I do and expect after a treatment?

Immediately after the procedure, the hair follicle that has been terminally affected will gradually purge over the next 2 weeks to one month. One can expect some very mild redness that shouldn’t lead to any changes to one’s normal activities, including shaving. The one exception is to limit overheating the skin until it returns to its normal state. Typically the post procedure management includes:

• Strict sun avoidance
• Application of micronized zinc or similar high SPF sunscreen
• Skin products recommended by the physician and aesthetician
• Cold pack applications for the first several hours if the skin is red

 

Who is legally allowed to perform IPL (laser) hair removal?

According to the Florida Board of Medicine: "With respect to laser hair removal, the Board of Medicine has previously stated that a Physician, an Osteopathic Physician, a Physician Assistant under the supervision of a physician, an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner under protocols with a physician, or an Electrologist working under the direct supervision and responsibility of a Physician is required. "  At The Aesthetic Clinique, you will always have Dr. Weiner perform all laser and IPL treatments.

Florida Board of Medicine Opinion on Laser Providers

Florida Quality Assurance Meeting Transcript Regarding Lasers

 

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Dr. Steve Weiner is a board certified Facial Plastic/Head and Neck Surgeon.  His services include Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, Juvederm Ultraplus, Radiesse, and Artefill injections.  He also performs laser resurfacing with the 1540 Fractional (like the Fraxel) Laser, IPL for photofacial, Laser Hair Removal, Laser for Spider veins, and IPL for acne and precancers.  He services: Destin, Panama City, Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Watercolor, Watersound, Crestview, Niceville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, and Sandestin.