1064nm and 532nm wavelength IPL laser skin treatment equipment

IPL stands for intense pulsed light, and it is a form of light therapy, used for various dermatological procedures including hair removal.

Unlike laser treatments, which emit a specific wavelength, IPL works like a flash-lamp, sending out scattered wavelengths of light, making IPL very targeted. That also means it affects the pigment in your skin too, so IPL only really works for those with fair skin and dark hair.

"It's now generally accepted that IPL is a good workhorse for treating blood vessels, but not a very good one for hair removal. The truth is, it's limited and quite uncomfortable," says Dr Patrick Bowler, laser expert, and director of Courthouse Clinics. "The great thing about laser is that you can specifically set them up, adapting the nanometre of the wavelengths to target an exact pigment. For example we know that brown hair is zapped at 800 nanometres."

Your surgeon will provide thorough pretreatment instructions, answer any questions you may have, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for treatment.

In advance of your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to:

• Moisturize regularly, avoid too much exposure to the sun, and wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
• Stop smoking at least six weeks before undergoing surgery to promote better healing
• Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding
• Refrain from taking certain antibiotics and topical creams such as retinoids (Retin-A) that affect skin sensitivity
• If you are living with the herpes virus, your plastic surgeon may ask you to take antiviral medication to reduce the chance of an outbreak on the day of the procedure.
• Regardless of the type of surgery to be performed, hydration is very important before and after treatment for safe recovery.

The morning before your photorejuvenation procedure, you should not apply any makeup or skincare products. Your face will need to be thoroughly cleansed before the treatment can begin, but this may be done at the office before treatment. It's possible that your doctor will apply a topical anesthetic prior to treatment.

Technical Specification: