- All
- Covid-safe practices
- Frequently asked questions about Dermafrac
- Frequently asked questions about Emsculpt Neo
- Frequently asked questions about Fractional RF Ablative
- Frequently Asked Questions about IPL Hair Removal
- Frequently asked questions about IPL Skin Repair
- Frequently Asked Questions about Morpheus8
- Frequently asked questions about Radio Frequency?
- Frequently asked questions about Wrinkle Relaxers
Do you have any of the following?
- Pacemaker
- Internal Defibrillator
- Superficial implants (metal plates, screws, metal piercings
- Cochlear implants
Are you taking?
- Photosensitizing medication
- Fish oil, flaxseed oil, linseed oil
- Aspirin
- NSAIDS – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (i.e., Nurofen)
- Anti-coagulant medication
If you are taking any of the above for medical reasons, please discuss if it is safe to discontinue the treatment with your treating practitioner.
Have you ever had cold sores (herpes simplex)?
Have you had UV exposure to the treated area in the last 2 weeks?
Have you followed the prescribed skin preparation prior to this appointment?
Do you agree to follow the following post treatment advice?
- Avoid skin cooling at home, except tap water if needed.
- Avoid all activities in the first 24 hours.
- Avoid touching the area treated until the micro lesions have closed and the inflammation has subsided.
- Follow the post treatment instructions in the handout (see above)
- minimal down time
- makeup can be worn after 24 hours.
- Bruising is uncommon but may occur and is usually minimal. Hirudoid cream and LED treatment can speed up the resolution of the bruise.
- There may be occasional small red marks or tiny spots where the needles enter the skin. If this occurs, the face recovers within 5 days,
- most people have no visible signs after 24 hours.
- reactive skin may develop some welts, redness and swelling for up to 5, particularly on the neck.
- Eyelid treatment may take 5+ days for swelling and bruising to settle. The length of time depends on the intensity of the treatment in this area.
We expect that a lot of the deeper changes will be long lasting, however, to maximize your outcome and maintain the improvement achieved we recommend a maintenance program designed specifically for your skin type.
- 1st 6 months post Morpheus treatment – 1-3 treatments of PRP are recommended following completion of the Morpheus8 treatment as it rehydrates the deeper layers of SMAS – superficial muscular fascia system and skin giving the best outcome.
- Long term skin maintenance with a selection of the following treatments is highly recommended.
- Skinpen micro needling (3 per year is recommended)
- IPL treatments for pigment, redness and skin rejuvenation
- RF fractional – series of 3
- RF skin tightening – series of 3 – 6
- PRP 1-2/year
- Regular peels/ medifacials
- LED treatment 6/year recommended
- Skin Cosmeceuticals – Skin care – good quality medical grade
- Sunscreen
- Dermafrac and skin boosters
Ask our experienced therapist to recommend a monthly maintenance skin regime specific for your skin type. This can be paid as a regular monthly payment with a discounted price if you prefer, so that you can book in your years appointments and know that you will maintain your beautiful skin, whilst saving some money!
Visible results can be seen in a few days, however typically, there will be ongoing improvement for up to 12 months. The development of new collagen and elastin takes months to maximize.
- The number of sessions required varies from 1-4 with intervals of 4-6 weeks.
- Maintenance sessions may be needed after 12 months, although maximum benefit is not achieved until 12 months post treatment.
- Cool the skin with tap water if there is an excessive heat response. This is not normally necessary.
- Rinse the area treated with water only before bed on the night of the treatment.
- Apply the face mask according to the instructions, remembering to keep any solution in the pouch to apply the next day. Leave the mask on for at least 15 minutes to obtain maximal benefit.
- Apply the healing ointment provided for 1-3 days post treatment as required. This will reduce the dryness.
- You may commence moisturizer, physical sunscreen (zinc oxide) and make-up (preferably mineral) 24 hours after the treatment if the skin is looking healed.
- Avoid active ingredients (Serums, especially Vitamin A) for 14 days.
- Downtime is minimal and ranges from 1-5 days; the longer time for superficial and higher energy treatments.
- Continue anti-viral medications for 5 days if prescribed.
- Keep the area clean and avoid contact of the area with pets.
- Contact Dr Craig on the clinic number or her emergency number, 0404 116 623 (out of hours) if you develop pain, increasing redness, any signs of infection or you are concerned in any way.
- You will be asked to complete a consent form for the procedure.
- Photos will be taken to monitor your progress.
- Anaesthetic (numbing) gel will be applied 60 minutes prior to your procedure.
- The procedure will take up to 90 minutes depending on the area to be treated.
- We will monitor your response and adjust the treatment parameters accordingly, to ensure your comfort. Additional numbing is available if required.
- The area to be treated will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.
- After the procedure an LED light treatment lasting approximately 20 minutes will be administered and then soothing cream will be applied to keep the area moist and comfortable
- Cease anticoagulant medications (including aspirin) 7 days prior to treatment, if medically safe to do so. Please discuss this with Dr Craig before ceasing anticoagulants if taking them for medical reasons
- Cease anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, 2 days before the procedure.
- If you have ever had cold sores, you need to commence anti-viral medication (Valocyclovir is our preferred medication) the morning of your procedure and continue for 5 days. Dr Craig can provide a prescription prior to your procedure. Heat can trigger an outbreak, and this would be problematic after the treatment.
- Contact the clinic to reschedule if any infective lesion or skin condition such as psoriasis, eczema or rash develops in the treatment area prior to your procedure. An outbreak of acne (pimples) is not a concern as the treatment is excellent for treating active acne.
- Avoid all non-ablative device treatments for 2 weeks prior to the procedure.
- Avoid ablative treatments such as ablative fractional RF or ablative fractional laser resurfacing for 6-12 weeks prior to the procedure. Discuss with your treating therapist/Dr as the time depends on the level of ablation.
- If you have had surgery in the treatment area you need to wait 12 months before commencing Morpheus8 treatment
- Please attend the clinic with a clean face, free of makeup (including eye makeup to avoid tattooing occurring) and creams including moisturizer. If coming from work, we can cleanse your face at the clinic.
Morpheus8 works on the deep layers, tightening the muscular fascia layer (which lies between the superficial fat and the muscles of facial expression) and facial bands providing lift and sharpening of the jaw line as well as remodelling the fat and rejuvenating the skin. It’s an all-in-one treatment!
The micro needling and RF cause microtrauma stimulating a healing response and the production of collagen and elastin. Some treatments, such as threads and collagen stimulators cause an inflammatory response and scar tissue formation rather than the production of healthy organized collagen that develops after micro needling or micro needling with RF as in the Morpheus8. New collagen and elastin formation in the skin, results in firmer, smoother healthier skin.
The treatment is well tolerated as we provide numbing of the skin before the treatment and deep numbing for body work.
Ideal candidates for treatments with the advanced Morpheus8 RF micro needling system typically want to reduce loose, sagging skin on the face, neck, and body, but want to avoid plastic surgery. This effective nonsurgical option is also suitable for patients who are beginning to notice discoloration, smile lines, age spots, and other skin flaws. Morpheus8 might be the ideal treatment if you want to:
- Firm and tighten skin
- Reduce sagging jowls and/or a “turkey neck”
- Improve skin texture, tone, and pigment
- Treat skin irregularities such as discoloration and blood vessels
- Minimize the appearance of age spots and sun damage.
- Improve acne scars, stretch marks, and other irregularities.
- Rejuvenate skin for a younger, healthier appearance.
Even younger patients who are noticing fine lines and wrinkles can be great candidates for Morpheus8.
Those with more severe skin sagging, lines, and wrinkles might be better candidates for surgical procedures.
Not suitable in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The treatment does not result in weight loss but will reduce the fat and increase the muscle in the treatment area..
We can provide assistance with weight reduction with diet suggestions, monitoring and medication that can increase your body’s sensitivity to insulin, reduce your appetite and increase your satiety (you feel full with less food). This can be very effective.
It is recommended to follow a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and increased fluid intake for best results. You will benefit from a regular exercise program; however this is not necessary to obtain the results shown in the studies.
You will be prescribed a series of 4 treatments, one every 5 to 10 days for optimal results.
A maintenance program of 1 to 2 treatments every 6 to 12 months is recommended.
EMSCULPT NEO treatments may feel intense but should never be painful. The following day you may be aware that you have had a treatment but there is no muscle pain or stiffness.
There is no pre-preparation required.
Following your consultation you will be photographed to provide a record of your progress. You will then be asked to lay down while the applicators are applied over the treatment area and treatment will take 30 minutes. Your therapist will occasionally adjust the intensity of the contraction to obtain the best results.
During the treatment you may feel intense yet tolerable muscle contractions along with a heating sensation which is comparable to hot stone massage. Once the procedure is completed, you can immediately return to your daily routine.
- abdomen
- buttocks
- thighs – inner and outer
- arms – Biceps and triceps
- calves
- Love handles
Emsculpt Neo is a medical device and will therefore require a consultation prior to commencement of treatment as there are a number of contraindications.
It is suitable for anyone with a BMI less than 35 who wishes to increase muscle bulk and strength, reduce subcutaneous fat and improve skin laxity.
It is also suitable for people with a low BMI who wish to increase muscle bulk, strength and definition or improve skin laxity.
EMSCULPT NEO uses synchronized RF (radiofrequency) and HIFEM+ (hi intensity focused electromagnetic) energies to destroy fat, increase muscle strength and bulk and tighten the skin.
The energies are transmitted through an applicator that is applied to the treatment area.
Initially only radiofrequency is applied which creates heat and quickly raises the muscle temperature by several degrees. This prepares the muscles for exposure to stress, similar to a warmup before any workout.
Following the warmup, synchronized RF and HIFEM+ targets the muscle and fat. The contractions caused by the HIFEM+ are powerful, but not painful and are intermittent. During the resting phase a clicking sound is heard and this is associated with the removal of lactic acid from the muscle. As a result of this process there is little or no soreness and stiffness the next day.
HIFEM+ energy contracts the muscle fibres in the area at intensities that are not achievable during voluntary workout or electrical stimulation. Its effectiveness comes from bypassing the brain’s limitations by contracting the muscle fibres directly, bypassing the nerve connection required with exercise or electrical stimulation. Extreme stress forces the muscles to adapt resulting in an increase in the number and size of muscle fibres and cells. On average the muscle volume increases by 25% (Shown in 7 clinical trials) following four treatments.
One 30 minute treatment is the equivalent of 20,000 sit ups.
Apoptosis (destruction of the fat cells) begins within 4 minutes of the commencement of treatment due to the increase in the temperature of the subcutaneous fat. This results in an inflammatory process in the fat layer, the break down, removal of the fat and remnants of the cells and tissue repair. This process can take up to 3 months and so the final outcome of your treatment may not be apparent until that process is completed.
Clinical trials have demonstrated an average reduction in fat of 30%.
Results peak at around 3 – 6 months post treatment cycle due to the increased muscle strength and the completion of the clearance of damaged and destroyed fat cells.
Aesthetics Award Winner for 2022 for Product Innovation of the Year
Emsculpt Neo really does work. (See the before and after photos below).
Clients have commented on how they could achieve a lot more in a gym workout after just 1 treatment.
The technology behind Emsculpt Neo is revolutionary and patented and has been studied more than any other body sculpting device.
7 clinical trials have shown on average a 25% increase in muscle bulk, a 30% decrease in fat and a 19% improvement of abdominal muscle divarication (separation).
Moreover, 30 scientific publications make Emsculpt Neo the most extensively researched body contouring technology since its introduction in 2021.
It is TGA approved and patented.
- Clinic is fitted with hospital grade air purifiers and ionizers.
- All staff are fully vaccinated
- Masks – Treating staff will wear N95 masks for your added protection – Clients to wear masks until instructed to remove them for treatment
- Valid vaccine certificate required to enter the clinic
- Covid questionnaire to be completed prior to appointment
- Temperature check on arrival
- Only person booked for the appointment may attend unless exemption obtained
- Thorough cleaning performed after each client
- Staggering of appointments and additional time allowed for cleaning
- Skin care can be purchased online and delivered or collected through our click and collect system
- Home skin treatment programs and dermal therapist consultation available for anyone unable to attend the clinic.
- Pregnancy
- Breast feeding
- Implanted metal or electronic devices (pacemakers)
- Current inflammation or infection
- Heart disease
- Immunosuppressed
No aftercare required; you can resume your normal skincare regime immediately
There is no down time. You may experience a little warmth following the treatment area however the skin will just look noticeably plumper and dewier
Radio-frequency waves create heat in the deep layers of the skin and stimulate collagen and elastin production. This restores volume, creates lift, reduces fine lines and wrinkles giving the skin a plump fresh glow with no down time.
RF fractional treatment is a low-risk procedure compared to fractional laser
Contra-indications
- Pregnancy
- Breast feeding
- Implanted metal or electronic devices (pacemakers)
- Current inflammation or infection
- Heart disease
- Immunosuppressed
The Dermal Therapist will advise the appropriate aftercare during your consultation as it varies according to level of treatment & skin type.
- Following treatment there can be redness and swelling
- Some treatments can result in the formation of micro scabs which takes 7-10 days to resolve
- Visible downtime for 1-2 weeks after treatment
Pixel Perfect works by creating thousands of microscopic perforations, leaving the skin around each perforation intact. This allows your skin to heal rapidly. The healing process produces collagen and elastin which increases the volume and elasticity of the skin and repair of the perforations results in a clearer brighter skin.
You will be booked for an initial consultation with our Dermal Therapist who will assess your suitability and explain the process and the post treatment regime. When you arrive for your treatment, your skin will be cleansed, and an aesthetic gel will be applied, and treatment will commence 30-60 min later.
Treatment involves passing the RF hand piece over the skin resulting in heating, you will feel warmth but no pain.
Following the treatment, a silicone gel will be applied, the skin may be red and slightly swollen with microdots from where the fractional treatment passes through the skin.
- It is recommended to have 6 x LED treatments to strengthen the skin before the fractional treatment commencing 3 weeks prior
- Tyrosinase Inhibitor applied daily for 4 weeks prior
- Cease Vitamin A containing products for 3 days prior to treatment.
- Avoid sun exposure 2 week prior to treatment
Depending on the number of skin conditions you are treating, and the severity of the individual problem, an average of 3 to 4 treatments is recommended for most areas. By dividing the full program into several treatments, the procedure provides gradual improvements with very low risk – and it preserves the wonderful “no down time” feature that people appreciate so much.
Your therapist can do a skins Fitzpatrick test to make sure your skin type is the correct scale to be treated.
No. IPL machines are not all the same. The Alma Harmony Lite can give patients more measurable and precise results as well as being able to perform consistent, repeatable, and safer treatments. Patients get a gentler, more comfortable procedure up to 60% faster, without any compromise in the quality of the treatment.
Alma Harmony Lite SHR works by gradually heating targeted hair follicles with gentle pulses of IPL energy. IPL can effectively treat a wide range of skin conditions, including age spots, freckles, and broken capillaries. This effective non-invasive treatment modality provides impressive results with little or no down time.
- Avoid sun exposure before and after treatment
- Cease normal skincare routine for 1 week
- Use post care treatment package as prescribed by your Dermal Therapist
- Can I wear makeup after my treatment? The short answer is yes you can. However, the skin may feel warm in the few hours post treatment, so it is best to keep the skin clean for the rest of the day. In the instance where makeup is needed, we recommend mineral makeup and tinted physical sunscreen.
Side effects are rare; you may experience some
- Slight reddening
- Local swelling for a few hours to a couple of days
- Pigmented areas will increase in intensity (miloing) initially before resolving within 2 to 3 weeks.
- In most cases, following the treatment, you can return to work and resume all regular activities immediately.
Therapist will take photo’s for before and after results. The Alma Harmony Lite SHR is a more comfortable IPL treatment due to the cold head, can be virtually PAINLESS if done in motion, no medication or other pre-treatments are needed. There is some downtime with IPL rejuvenation however you can return to normal activities immediately. Everyone’s pain threshold is different, and it depends on the treatment area. There can be some discomfort, but it is over very quickly. An elastic band “flick” is the best description.
- Avoid sun exposure a month prior to your treatment
- Cease application of fake tan 2 weeks prior to treatment
- Cease Vitamin A containing products for 3 days prior to treatment.
- Arrange care for minors as treatment is not suitable for children to be present in the room
It is important that you do not put any pressure on or massage the treated area for 4 hours to avoid complications. To ensure this, it is recommended that you do not lie down, (in case you fall asleep and turn over), you avoid leaning the side of your face against the couch and avoid lying face down for a massage or physiotherapy.
After 4 hours, you can go about your day with no restrictions. You can resume any facial treatments the following day.
The result can be extended by using skin care containing peptides (proteins) that reduce the muscle contraction. I recommend using Societe “iComplete”, Societe “Intense Firming”, Cosmedix Elite “Pepoxide” or Cosmedix “Affirm”.
Skin Better Science “Lines” reduces lines though new technology that allows the large hyaluronic acid molecules to pass through the skin barrier into the deeper layers, thus hydrating and plumping the skin. The Hyaluronic acid molecule is coated with macadamia oil and the passage through the skin is enabled by the addition of an ingredient that relaxes the skin cell adhesiveness.
Some people who are very active can get a better outcome if they have 5 to 7 days of no exercise prior to treatment. I only recommend trying this if results have been poor in the past.
A protein is injected into the muscle to relax it by temporarily blocking the nerve impulses that cause the muscle to contract. This reduces or eliminates movement of the muscle the therefore the appearance of lines and can also prevent the formation of new wrinkles.
The effect usually takes place within three to seven days (up to 2 weeks) of treatment and lasts normally 3 to 4 months, up to six months in some.
New nerve endings develop over a three to six-month period, allowing the muscle action to resume.
After checking your medical history to determine suitability for treatment a series of photos will be taken.
The injections are made with a very fine 32 gauge insulin needle. Dr Craig applies ice prior to the injection site or if preferred local anaesthetic gel can be applied 45 minutes before the procedure making the treatment quite comfortable.
The injections only take a few minutes to complete.
- Normal daily schedule can be resumed except for the use of Vitamin A
- No swimming in pools or spas for 48 hours post treatment
- Avoid exposing the area to the sun
- Avoid excessive exercise for 24 hours post treatment
Side effects are rare; you may experience some
- Slight reddening
- Local swelling for a few hours
- Following the treatment, you can return to work
IPL is the first photorejuvenation and photoepilation procedure proven to effectively treat unwanted hair on all skin types, including dark-skinned individuals such as those of Black, Hispanic and Asian descent.
Alma Harmony Lite works by gradually heating targeted hair follicles with gentle pulses of IPL energy. The heat destroys the hair follicle preventing the regrowth of hair.
Multiple treatments at set intervals are required as at any given time, the hairs will be in one of three stages of growth or shedding which are: anagen, catagen, and telogen phases. Hairs in the Anagen phase are more sensitive to the different treatment modalities. Some follicles will not contain a hair or an attached hair and will therefore not respond to treatment as it is heating the attached hair that destroys the follicle.
The secret to hair removal (IPL) with virtually pain free treatment is the method by which the hair follicle is damaged. For a more comfortable result driven treatment we use the following techniques:
- A sweeping paintbrush technique (SHR) with low doses of energy applied multiple times to the hair follicle, the SHR procedure is shorter than other IPL methods, more comfortable and gives top results.
- Point and shoot technique is required for some areas however our Harmony Lite machine with the ICE head makes this treatment shorter and more comfortable than traditional machines.
- Do not wax or tweezer hair for 6 weeks prior to treatment
- Clean save the morning of your treatment
- Avoid sun exposure a month prior to your treatment
- Cease application of fake tan 2 weeks prior to treatment
- Cease Vitamin A containing products for 3 days prior to treatment.
- Arrange care for minors as treatment is not suitable for children to be present in the room
Dermafrac is typically administered fortnightly.
For best results we recommend a series of 6 treatments followed by a maintenance visit every one to two months.
We will customise a treatment regimen for your unique skin care needs which may include other therapies.
Patients tell us the Dermafrac feels wonderful and is an enjoyable treatment.
The precise engineering of the hand piece prevents any bleeding or pain and provides a pleasant client experience with no downtime.
Dermafrac is an excellent alternative to fractional laser treatments that can be expensive, carry some risk and often require downtime…
There is no downtime following Dermafrac. It allows you to return to your normal activities immediately following the procedure.
You may re-apply your make-up immediately after the procedure.
It is common to experience some pink or slightly red areas, which should fade quickly. The degree of redness you experience will be directly related to the amount of stimulation during the procedure and your skin type.
The precision controlled Dermafrac hand piece uses a vacuum to pull the skin into contact with hundreds of micro-needles. The micro-needles create pathways for the infusion of targeted serums by penetrating the epidermis, staying above capillaries and nerve endings, ensuring no bleeding or pain.
The treatment is designed to improve the overall appearance of your skin and results in optimal absorption of the serum, stimulating a positive natural healing response by the body which increases collagen production and fibroblast activity.
Your treatment will be individualised by our therapist selecting a Dermafrac serum to target your specific needs. The serums used are: –
- Anti-Aging Serum – A super cocktail of peptides that has the potential to stimulate collagen and fibroblast production and relax the muscles in a subtle, natural way.
- Hydration Serum –This serum contains hyaluronic acid which results in intense hydration. It is a patented formulation which uses HylaSponge technology and can result in sustained hydration of the skin.
- Lightening Serum –Ideal for reducing pigmentation. Kojic Acid is a natural and effective lightening agent shown to even out pigment.
- Vitamin C – This serum targets free radicals that can damage your skin. As well as reducing oxidative stress on the skin, Vitamin C stabilizes the collagen molecule and stimulates collagen mRNA activity in the fibroblasts resulting in increased collagen production.
- Vitamin C is important in the skin where intracellular levels of vitamin C are higher than the levels in our blood. These levels reduce with aging and photodamage (sun exposure).
- Clarify – For people who suffer from acne, white heads and blackheads. This solution combines the properties of salicylic acid and lactic acid to open clogged pores, reduce bacteria within the pores and reduce congestion and acne breakouts.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments in the right hands are an effective, non-invasive procedure used to permanently reduce unwanted hair and improve many skin conditions.
The secret to SHR’s virtually pain free treatment is the method by which the hair follicle is damaged. By using a sweeping, paintbrush technique with low doses of energy applied multiple times to the hair follicle, the SHR procedure is shorter than other IPL methods, more comfortable and gives top results.
Alma Harmony Lite SHR works by gradually heating targeted hair follicles with gentle pulses of IPL energy. Because the IPL is constantly in motion, treatment is more similar to a hot stone massage than traditional IPL hair removal where a single high dose of energy is applied to the hair follicle, resulting is both pain and potential burns.
The therapists at Natural Looks are fully qualified and highly experienced IPL safety officers. Prior to treatment we provide you with a comprehensive consultation, so that you can make an informed decision.
Avoid sun exposure a month prior to your treatment, Fake tan can be applied after IPL but not before. If you are having IPL for hair removal, DO NOT wax or tweezer hair.
Depending on the severity of the individual problem, an average of 6 to 8 treatments is recommended for most areas. By dividing the full program into several treatments, the procedure provides gradual improvements with very low risk – and it preserves the wonderful “no down time” feature that people appreciate so much.
Side effects are rare. You may experience some slight reddening or local swelling at the treatment site, but this naturally goes away within hours. Limited sun exposure before and after treatment will be of benefit. In most cases, following the treatment, you can return to work and resume all regular activities immediately.
IPL is the first photrejuvenation and photepilation procedure proven to effectively treat unwanted hair on all skin types, including dark-skinned individuals such as those of Black, Hispanic and Asian descent.
The Alma Harmony Lite SHR is virtually PAINLESS with no medication or other pre-treatments needed. No downtime, so you can return to normal activities immediately.
No. IPL machines are not all the same. The Alma Harmony Lite provides a state-of-the-art procedure designed to remove unwanted hair faster and more comfortably than ever before. With SHR, you can receive treatment regardless of skin colour or season, and can even treat sensitive areas without any discomfort.
- Acne
- Acne Scars
- Age Spots
- Birthmarks
- Capillaries & Skin Redness
- Facial Veins & Spider Veins
- Freckles
- Haemangiomas
- Hyper-Pigmentation
- Melasma
- Open Pores
- Poikiloderma
- Rosacea
- Skin Ageing
- Sun Damage
- Heat can sometimes be present in the treated area immediately after
- Normal daily schedule can be resumed
- No swimming in pools or spas for 48 hours post treatment
- Avoid exposing the area to the sun
- Avoid excessive exercise for 24 hours post treatment
Not suitable to bring a child to as they are unable to be in the room during treatment session
- Shave the day of your treatment
- Do not use any Vitamin A or exfoliating ingredients for 48hours prior
- Do not wax or tweeze 2 weeks prior
- Avoid sun exposure in the treatment area for at least 2 weeks prior
- Fake tan solutions must not be used on the treatment area for at least 2 weeks before treatment.
Hair on the scalp grows about .3 to .4 mm/day or about 6 inches per year. Unlike other mammals, human hair growth and shedding is random and not seasonal or cyclical. At any given time, a random number of hairs will be in one of three stages of growth and shedding: anagen, catagen, and telogen.
Anagen
Anagen is the active phase of the hair. The cells in the root of the hair are dividing rapidly. A new hair is formed and pushes the club hair (a hair that has stopped growing or is no longer in the anagen phase) up the follicle and eventually out.
During this phase the hair grows about 1 cm every 28 days. Scalp hair stays in this active phase of growth for two to six years. Leg hair – 3 to 6 months, Thigh hair – 1 to 2 months, Moustache hair -1 to 1.5 months.
Some people have difficulty growing their hair beyond a certain length because they have a short active phase of growth. On the other hand, people with very long hair have a long active phase of growth. The hair on the arms, legs, eyelashes, and eyebrows have a very short active growth phase of about 30 to 45 days, explaining why they are so much shorter than scalp hair.
Hairs in the Anagen phase are more sensitive to the different treatment modalities than those in the Catagen phase.
Catagen
The catagen phase is a transitional stage and about 3% of all hairs are in this phase at any time. This phase lasts for about two to three weeks. Growth stops and the outer root sheath shrinks and attaches to the root of the hair. This is the formation of what is known as a club hair.
Telogen
Telogen is the resting phase and usually accounts for 6% to 8% of all hairs. This phase lasts for about 100 days for hairs on the scalp and longer for hairs on the eyebrow, eyelash, arm, and leg. During this phase, the hair follicle is completely at rest and the club hair is completely formed. Pulling out a hair in this phase will reveal a solid, hard, dry, white material at the root. Once Anagen begins the remaining club hair is ejected, and the growth cycle continues. About 25 to 100 telogen hairs are shed normally each day.
Patterns of hair growth vary greatly depending on whether the person is male or female. In addition, ethnicity may also determine normal growth patterns that can be interpreted as abnormal if outside of a person’s native culture. Growth of androgen-sensitive hairs at various regions of the body (beard, axillae, pubis, chest, and shoulders, for example) can arouse suspicion of an underlying organic cause in women or prior to puberty.
Overproduction of testosterone and other androgens in females may cause abnormal growth patterns that can be clinically evident as hirsutism. All women should be evaluated for an underlying cause of the hair growth, whether the unwanted facial hair is to be treated or not.
The number of treatments required depends of several factors related to your specific kind of hair and skin. A customised treatment program will be designed for you. Prior to your first treatment a thorough consultation and test patch is required. Treatment every 4 to 6 weeks for 6 to 8 sessions – on average. Timing is important due to hair growth cycle – see below for information.
To perform light-based hair removal, a large rectangular window emitting broad-spectrum light is applied to the surface of the skin. The energy travels harmlessly through the epidermis and dermis until it strikes the hair follicle, which contains a dense, melanin-rich hair shaft and bulb. IPL’s Broad Band light is used to heat and destroy hair growth within the follicle. This light works best on course dark hair.
