Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions. If you have a query which isn’t covered here, please feel free to call one of our clinics.
General
- Do I need to do anything after my treatment?
- How long does a treatment take?
- Do I need to do anything before my treatment?
- How will information be stored?
Intense Pulse Light
- Do I have to have a consultation and a patch test, even if I have had a previous IPL treatment some where else?
- How does IPL work on fine lines and wrinkles?
- How does IPL work on the skin pigmentation?
- How does IPL work on thread veins?
- Can DestinationSkin help with PCOS?
- Why do some of the hairs grow back after my first treatment?
- Can I have IPL hair treatments if I have dark Afro-Caribbean skin?
- Can I have IPL hair treatments if I have blonde, red, grey or white hair?
- How does IPL work on the hair?
- Does IPL hurt?
- Who can have IPL treatments?
- What regulations cover IPL clinics?
- What are the side effects of IPL treatments?
- Is IPL safe?
- How much does IPL cost?
- What is Intense Pulsed Light?
Skin Imperfections
- How much do the treatments cost?
- Mixing electrolysis methods
- How long does it take and how many treatments will I need?
- Will my blemishes return?
- How does the treatment work?
Skin Peels
- Will the peel get rid of pigmentation marks?
- Are the peels good for scarring?
- Will I be able to go out in the sun after a peel?
- Can I have a peel at my first appointment?
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
- Can I carry on as normal after treatment?
- Will it freeze or paralyse my face?
- Will my eyes or eyebrows droop if I have it?
- Can the wrinkle relaxant build up in the body?
- Will it work immediately?
- Are wrinkle relaxing injections dangerous?
General
Do I need to do anything after my treatment?
- No major action is necessary, but you may want to read the guidelines offered on the ‘after your treatment’ card which is available at your clinic or on this website.
How long does a treatment take?
- The consultation and patch test take about 30 minutes. The IPL treatment itself can take as little as 15 minutes or as long as 2 hours, depending on the area(s) being treated. This will be discussed with you during your consultation.
Do I need to do anything before my treatment?
- No major preparations are necessary, but you may want to read the guidelines offered on the ‘before your treatment’ page which is available at your clinic or on this website.
How will information be stored?
- We will create a confidential personal file for you with electronic and written records. This will include any personal details you give us and possibly clinical before and after photographs. Your file will be retained for seven years after your most recent visit. DestinationSkin is registered under the Data Protection Act to keep detailed records for each client.
Intense Pulse Light
Do I have to have a consultation and a patch test, even if I have had a previous IPL treatment some where else?
- Yes. We need to assess your medical history and current skin condition to check that you are (still) suitable for treatment and we determine the correct settings for your particular treatment from the patch test. We also ask you to sign a consent form that confirms we have explained the IPL treatment process, and allows us to carry out treatments and store your personal data. During your initial consultation, your practitioner will devise an individual course of treatments suited to you, and will discuss your treatment expectations.
How does IPL work on fine lines and wrinkles?
- When treating fine lines and wrinkles, the light stimulates the growth of collagen which makes the skin feel plumper and more youthful.
How does IPL work on the skin pigmentation?
- When treating unwanted areas of pigmentation, targeted areas momentarily absorb the light and become hot, but not for long enough to burn. This heat breaks down the pigmentation into tiny particles which then either rise to the skin’s surface as scabs, which are exfoliated away naturally within 1-2 weeks, or the particles are filtered away through the lymphatic system in your body.
How does IPL work on thread veins?
- When treating thread veins (or other vascular conditions), the light is absorbed by the oxyhaemoglobin in the blood within the vein, causing the blood to coagulate and the thread vein to break up into particles that can be filtered away naturally through the lymphatic system in your body.
Can DestinationSkin help with PCOS?
- Yes. One of the side effects of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can be enhanced unwanted hair growth, for which IPL is a suitable and effective treatment.
Why do some of the hairs grow back after my first treatment?
- Hair goes through a 3-stage cycle, and IPL treatment is only effective when the hair is in the growing phase. Since only about 30% of hairs are in the growing phase at any given time, some new hairs will grow after each treatment. These are then successfully removed during subsequent treatments. This is why a course of approximately 6 treatments is normally recommended, after which the number of remaining hairs is very small.
Can I have IPL hair treatments if I have dark Afro-Caribbean skin?
- We have treatments available for dark skin types at selected DestinationSkin clinics. Please arrange a free consultation at your nearest clinic.
Can I have IPL hair treatments if I have blonde, red, grey or white hair?
- In simple terms, the greater the contrast between your hair colour and your skin colour, the more easily we can achieve great results. If you have blonde or red hair you will need to have a consultation with a practitioner to determine whether there is enough pigment in the hair for you to have a successful treatment. Grey or white hairs are not always suitable for this type of treatment, as they usually do not contain sufficient melanin to absorb light. Some people find a number of grey or white hairs remain visible after a course of IPL treatments. Research is being carried out to find ways to boost the melanin in grey and white hair for long enough to allow successful IPL treatments and we are monitoring these developments. Early melanin enhancement products appear to us to be prohibitively expensive.
How does IPL work on the hair?
- The melanin in the hair (which gives hair its colour) absorbs the light, which is momentarily converted into heat. This heat is transferred to the growth cells at the root of the hair, permanently disabling them. Most colours of unwanted hair can be removed from all parts of the body, except very sensitive areas such as the inside of the nose and ear.
Does IPL hurt?
- Not really, although the treatment sensation will vary from client to client. Most of our clients say that it feels like the flicking of an elastic band on their skin. Any discomfort is momentary and there is no lasting sensation.
Who can have IPL treatments?
- We are registered to treat anyone from the age of 16 upwards.
What regulations cover IPL clinics?
- It is a Government requirement that all IPL clinics are registered with the Healthcare Commission, the regulatory body responsible for ensuring that private healthcare businesses operate safely and with full regard for client care. Registration with the Healthcare Commission is recognition that a company is using safe and appropriate equipment, has all the necessary treatment policies, procedures and protocols and is employing properly trained staff.
What are the side effects of IPL treatments?
- You need a consultation before we can treat you. You should follow our advice before and after your IPL treatment. IPL does not work on all hair colours and all skin types. You may need six treatments before you can say goodbye to shaving and waxing, although individual results can vary. Improving your skin using IPL may need around four treatments and individual results can vary. Immediately after IPL treatment you may notice a slight reddening of the skin around the hair follicles or slight local swelling which may last for up to a few hours (or in very rare cases, a few days). These are positive indications that the IPL treatment was effective and no cause for concern. Following your IPL treatment, areas of pigmentation will darken and rise to the surface of the skin before being exfoliated naturally within 1-2 weeks. This is a positive indication of a successful IPL treatment and no cause for concern.
Is IPL safe?
- IPL is safe, non-invasive, has minimal side effects and requires no recovery time. IPL is gentler than laser and much faster as a larger area can be treated with each flash. We believe it is the most advanced hair removal and skin treatment system available. We value the comfort and safety of the client very highly and will take the greatest care to ensure that you feel at ease about every aspect of the treatment.
How much does IPL cost?
- This will vary depending on the area you are having treated and the number of treatments you need, please choose the type of treatment required from the main menu to view our price list.
What is Intense Pulsed Light?
- IPL systems use hand-held flash lamps to emit micro pulses of light across a broad band of visible wavelengths. By using gentle pulses of light momentarily to create heat, IPL can permanently disable hair follicles, preventing future growth. Similarly, IPL also achieves excellent long term results when treating thread veins, skin pigmentation, acne and other skin complaints. On your first visit, your personal practitioner will carry out a detailed consultation and assessment before recommending a treatment plan to suit your individual requirements. Your practitioner will also demonstrate the equipment and answer any questions.
Skin Imperfections
How much do the treatments cost?
- The cost of these treatments will vary depending on the amount of courses needed and the severity of the blemish. Your skin practitioner will be able to offer a price estimate at the time of your consultation.
Mixing electrolysis methods
- Your skin practitioner will discuss the different methods available to you. It will be determined by the condition of the skin, the client compatibility and blemishes themselves.
How long does it take and how many treatments will I need?
- This will depend on the problem area and will be discussed on an individual basis with your skin practitioner at the time of your consultation. These treatments are completely safe and effective and in many cases offer instant results
Will my blemishes return?
- Treated blemishes will not return; however depending on the root cause, new blemishes may appear. Your skin practitioner will advise you during your skin consultation.
How does the treatment work?
- Advanced electrolysis is used to treat different problem areas like milia (white spots) and skin tags. A fine probe, about the size of an eyelash, is used against the problem area and a small energy current applied. This ‘dries up’ and destroys the vessel, eradicating it from the skin. Skin tags are treated in the same way; the vessels leading to the skin tag are targeted to eradicate them, with the skin tag diminishing over time.
Skin Peels
Will the peel get rid of pigmentation marks?
- Pigmentation marks caused by sun damage can be removed or reduced by skin peels. However there is a small risk that the skin peel could cause pigmentation marks to the skin. Dark skins, such as Asian and Black skins are more prone to this damage; they still can be treated with preparation to the skin before the peel. Your skin practitioner will be able to advise on the appropriate peel.
Are the peels good for scarring?
- Yes, skin peels are an ideal treatment for the reduction of scarring. They can be especially effective against acne scarring, however it may take more than one peel to achieve the optimum results.
Will I be able to go out in the sun after a peel?
- Your skin will be more susceptible to sun damage up to 4 weeks after the treatment as the peels resurface the skin. We recommend a sun protection cream of at least SPF 25 is worn permanently to reduce the effects of sun damage and ageing. If travelling to a hot climate we recommend a skin peel is done on return of the journey.
Can I have a peel at my first appointment?
- In order to achieve the maximum results the skin needs to undergo preparation before the treatment. This can be carried out at home, through the use of our home care products, for a minimum of two weeks before the peel.
Wrinkle Relaxing Injections
Can I carry on as normal after treatment?
- There are some basic steps that can be followed straight after the treatment has taken place, namely leaving the treated area alone. Your skin practitioner will be able to advice on the best post treatment care.
Will it freeze or paralyse my face?
- The treated muscles will be relaxed and re-hydrated, allowing the lines to smooth away. Your face will feel exactly the same and have all the same movements; you will notice a greater improvement on the amount of lines. Only a small percentage of people report a slight restricted feeling in the early days after treatment.
Will my eyes or eyebrows droop if I have it?
- This is uncommon, with a 1:2,000 chance of happening. If the wrinkle relaxant is applied to the muscle directly in line with the eye pupil or, more commonly, if the client massages or pushes the area within the first four days after the treatment, there is a small risk of this happening. If this does occur the effects are temporary, lasting no longer than 4 weeks.
Can the wrinkle relaxant build up in the body?
- No, the wrinkle relaxant will not build up in the body. The product is attracted to the nerve endings but leaves the body within 21 days of administration; the results of this product will however last between 3-6 months.
Will it work immediately?
- Results will begin to show between 3-4 days after the treatment has taken place, there won’t be an immediate response. However full effects can take up to 3 weeks to show.
Are wrinkle relaxing injections dangerous?
- No, wrinkle relaxing injections are not dangerous; they have been used for cosmetic purposes since the 1970’s, world wide, with very few complications. The relaxant used is licensed within 13 different countries and is FDA approved, all injections are administered by a highly qualified doctor or nurse.
If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
