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Is your skin suitable for IPL treatment?
In order to select the correct skin type for IPL treatment, the table below is used to classify skin according to its melanin (pigment) content and the skins reaction to the sun. The lighter the skin type, the more suitable it is for IPL treatment.
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Skin Type
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Classification
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Colour
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Indication for IPL
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I
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Always burns easily and never tans
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White
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Best skin for IPL treatment
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II
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Burns easily and tans minimally
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White
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Good skin for IPL treatment
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III
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Sometimes burns and tans gradually
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White
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Good skin for IPL treatment
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IV
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Burns minimally and always tans
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Moderate
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Acceptable skin for IPL treatment
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V+
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Rarely burns, naturally dark skin
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Dark brown+
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Not recommended for IPL treatment
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Contra-indications (reasons why IPL may not be suitable for you)
Recent sunburn
Unprotected sun exposure or solarium use 4 weeks prior to treatment
Pregnancy
History of seizures
Severe dermatitis or eczema (within the treatment area)
Active infections
Roaccutane use in the last 6 months
Herpes 1 or 2 (within the treatment area)
Very dark skin
Removing hair by the root e.g. waxing or tweezing 4 weeks prior to treatment (hair removal only)
Photo sensitising medications are best avoided
Potential Complications:
Unfortunately, there are some potential complications associated with IPL treatments. At CosMedical Skin Solutions we perform test spots within 3 days prior to your actual treatment, to allow an accurate evaluation of the skins response. This helps to optomise treatment outcomes and significantly reduces potential complications, which include:
Prolonged redness and swelling lasting up to 4 days may occur.
Darker patches of pigment on the skin may occur a couple of weeks after treatment which can last from 2 weeks up to 1 year (this is not the immediate darkening of pigment we expect when treating pigmentation). You are more at risk of this occurring if you have a darker skin type.
Whiter patches on the skin can occur. This can last 2 weeks up to 1 year though also has the potential to be permanent. You are more at risk of this occurring if you have a darker skin type.
Blistering rarely occurs and will usually settle within 2 hours with application of ice. If you do get a blister, it is important that you don’t pick it as it may leave a scar.
Pre -Treatment Recommendations:
Discontinue sun exposure 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
Do not use fake tan 1-2 weeks prior to your treatment.
Use an SPF 30 daily.
If having IPL hair removal, do not wax, tweeze or pluck the hair for 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
Shaving or depilatory creams are fine and you will need to shave the treatment site before your IPL session.
If you have a history of herpes close to the area being treated, it is recommended that you take antiviral medication before the treatment.
The react after the IPL treatment:
Most patients will experience a sunburn like sensation that lasts 2 to 5 hours which is often associated with mild to moderate redness. The treated area is generally sensitive to heat for 2 days following treatment.
After hair removal the skin may appear spotty, this is inflammation caused from the heat absorbed in the hair follicle and can last 2 to 24 hours.
After treatment of pigmented lesions the lesion will go darker sometimes almost black, then will fall off within 7 to 28 days (depending on the area of the body) or it will just gradually fade.
After treatment of vascular lesions they will either disappear immediately or appear grey or purplish in colour. Diffuse redness immediately appears more red, then gradually lightens within 2-3 weeks. Vascular treatments generally require 3-4 weekly treatments for best results.
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IPL & E Light Machines 
