Skin Treatments
ICON Optimized IPL (OPL)
ICON MAXG IPL photo rejuvenation offers superior vessel and pigment clearance that goes beyond single-wavelength lasers. It is a popular, non-invasive treatment used to significantly improve many skin concerns. It uses specific wavelengths of light to simultaneously target pigmented and vascular lesions in the skin, while stimulating the production of collagen.
IPL is good for removing pigment (age spots) and small blood vessels such as telangiectasias. Some of these issues may be better treated by laser, depending on the size of the area to be treated, and the depth of the lesion.
Ideal for
Vascular
Rejuvenation
Pigmentation
Benefits
- Younger looking skin with more even colouring.
- Reduction or removal of freckles and pigmented lesions.
- Reduces redness and visible blood vessels.
- Increases firmness.
- Reduces pore size.
- Boosts collagen production.
The Treatment
IPL uses a bright light in front of which filters are placed to censor certain wavelengths not consumed by pigment and blood vessels. The light energy penetrates just below the skin’s surface, damaging either the melanin (skin pigment) or blood vessels. The body’s natural skin repair mechanisms then remove the damaged tissue to produce a smoother skin appearance. It usually takes 3-6 treatments to see significant results and treatments can be spaced out every 3-4 weeks.
What does the IPL treatment involve?
A thorough skin consultation is carried out, concentrating on helping you understand the procedure, possible side effects, and the importance of after care.
No
Downtime
3-6
Sessions
Long
Lasting
From
€120
Contraindication
FAQ
– Skin Tone and Re-texture
– Pigmentation
– Vascular Lesions
– Acne & Rosacea
Skin Rejuvenation is also known as photo-rejuvenation – the non-invasive, non surgical face lift. The Intense Pulsed Light is absorbed by colour particles which are present in blood and in melanin. The IPL also treats the propioni-bacterium in acne and protein present in cells which produce collagen.
Pigmentation marks slowly come to the skin’s surface and are shed naturally.
Vascular lesions dissipate into the lymphatic system for excretion, just as bruises do. Enlarged pores, minor pitting and scarring diminish and fade.
Fine lines and wrinkles are softened and may virtually disappear.
Collagen & elastin production increases.
ICON MaxG IPL is designed to treat spider veins and broken vessels on the face, neck, and some other areas of the body.
It is difficult to predict the number of sessions required, as it depends on the nature of the lesions to be treated and their size, plus the client’s skin type, condition and colour. Some conditions may require maintenance treatments from time to time. This will be discussed during your consultation. Different types of skin rejuvenation require different numbers of treatments.
The following is a guide only:
SKIN TONE & RE-TEXTURE:
Fine lines & wrinkles, enlarged pores, minor pitting & scarring,etc
2 to 4 treatments usually recommended, at 4 to 6 week intervals.
VASCULAR LESIONS:
Facial redness, broken capillaries, spider veins, etc
2 to 6 treatments usually recommended, at 2 to 6 week intervals.
PIGMENTATION MARKS:
Freckles, sun spots, flat birthmarks, etc,
2 to 8 treatments usually recommended, at 4 to 6 week intervals.
ROSACEA AND ACNE:
Results are profound, but these hormonal conditions may return.
2 to 6 treatments usually recommended, at 1 to 3 week intervals.
Consultation and Test Patch:
Your first appointment will be a comprehensive consultation to answer all your questions and to check that there are no contra-indications to IPL treatments, such as medications which cause photo-sensitivity, and to ascertain the degree of recent sun or UV exposure on the area to be treated.
The colour of your skin and the condition to be treated must be assessed, then a calculation is made to determine the appropriate setting. A patch test will be applied and we must wait to see the outcome. Some conditions only require a few minutes wait, while others will require a separate appointment of up to 48 hours after the test patch. It is very important to be honest about medications and your recent sun or UV exposure. Clients with photo-sensitivity problems may develop some adverse reactions such as blistering or mild burning sensations. Your first test patch flash will be set on a low setting in order to avoid this. The setting may be raised if appropriate.
The treatment area is re-assessed, wiped with a mild antiseptic lotion to remove all traces of oils, etc., and ultrasound gel is then applied. Both the operator and the client will wear glasses to protect their eyes from the bright flashes of light, then treatment may commence. The flash light lamp at the head of the hand piece is held against the client’s skin and the intense light is pulsed at the trigger of a button. The lamp is moved to cover the entire area, with a minimum of 2 seconds between each flash. Once the treatment is completed the gel will be wiped off and a cooling gel will be applied, plus sun block where appropriate.
Some treatments have little or no sensation at all, but for other treatments, clients may feel a slight sting, similar to the flick of a rubber band against your skin. It is certainly not unbearable, and we can always reduce the intensity if you feel the need. Immediately after some treatments, you may feel a mild heat for a few minutes, or a couple of hours, but after most treatments you will feel next to nothing at all.
In most cases there is no visible reaction and you would be expected to be able to return to work and resume your normal activities immediately after your appointment. However, IPL causes heat in the target tissues; therefore it is quite acceptable for the area to be slightly reddened immediately after treatment, but this would normally dissipate within half an hour. It is possible for the skin to appear slightly red for a couple of hours and up to 24 hours. If a reaction is visible after 48 hours it is imperative to contact your IPL operator for further advice.
Please note: In darker skinned people, these responses may be delayed for up to 24 hours.
Care & Important Information
Important Before Care
Sun exposure and tanning:
You can NOT be treated if you have had ultra violet (UV) exposure from the sun or sun beds within the past 4 to 6 weeks. Therefore prior to your treatments you must cover well with clothing and hats and sun block to prevent extra activity of the melanin cells in your skin.
Melanin cells are responsible for tanning. Your tan slowly ‘wears off’ as those cells reach the surface of your skin in the normal skin– shedding activity, known as skin renewal.
Fake tans stain the outer skin cells, and this colour will intensify the IPL heat at the surface of the skin, therefore we cannot treat with IPL for at least two weeks after a fake tan application.
Important After Care
For 24 hours after each IPL treatment:
- No sun exposure or UV exposure of sun beds
- Wear sun block with both UVA and UVB protection
- No depilatory, AHA, glycolic or salicylic creams
- No very hot baths or showers – tepid water only
- No heat treatments e.g. sauna
- No swimming in chlorinated pools or spa baths
- No deodorant – if underarms treated
- No perfumes, highly perfumed soaps or lotions, etc.
Long Term Care
- Always wear a good sun block with both UVA and UVB protection
- Avoid excessive sun or UV exposure. Cover up and be sun-safe.
Can Dark Skins Be Treated?
Light produced by laser and by IPL is absorbed by the colour pigment, melanin, which is present in our hair and skin. Caution is required when treating people with dark skins, Asian skins and some other skins which tan very easily. Hyper-pigmentation or blanching of the skin is likely to occur if there is too much melanin present in the skin. It is possible to treat medium to medium/dark skins on a low intensity. The consultation process and a test patch, will determine whether each individual can be treated. Strict guidelines must be adhered to, when treating darker skinned people, using only low levels of intensity at each session, and therefore more treatments will be needed to achieve a result. Skins such as Negroid, Melanesian and some darker Indian skins are not treatable.
Adverse Reactions
- Redness and swelling of the skin are normal. They are harmless effects which usually disappear within half an hour, but can occasionally be visible for two to thirty hours. Tightening of the skin can sometimes be felt for one or two days.
In extreme cases blistering may occur, which heals in a few days. Cooling, healing gel or ice-packs should be applied frequently to alleviate discomfort. Treat this situation as you would for sun burn.
- Scabbing is possible after blistering. It is extremely important NOT to pick scabs off the skin, as they are protecting the underlying skin while it heals itself. If you pick a scab off, the healing process will stop and you could be left with little pock marks.
- If any signs of redness and swelling are still present after 48 hours of treatment, please contact the IPL operator for further advice. If your IPL operator cannot be contacted, a doctor, pharmacist or naturopath should be able to give you appropriate advice. In the mean time, treat as sun burn.
- Blanching or hyper-pigmentation will only occur if strict guidelines regarding settings for the different skin types and colours have not been adhered to; OR if the client has not disclosed all contra-indications, medications. or the full extent of their sun or UV exposure during the month prior to treatment. Usually blanching or hyper-pigmented scars will heal and fade over weeks or months, but in extreme cases, especially on darker skins, they could be permanent.
