IPL Pre / Aftercare
IPL Pre Care for:
Pigmentation
Acne
Skin rejuvenation
Vascular
Hair Removal
PATCH TESTING
• Patch testing must be carried out on all patients before treatment
commences. If a new condition or area is to be treated on someone who
has had prior treatments, a patch test must still be carried out in the new
treatment area.
• The test patch should always be carried out using the
wavelength/handpiece that is to be used in treatment. If a client has
previously been treated with one wavelength/handpiece (for example the
650 handpiece), but is about to commence treatment using a different
wavelength/handpiece (for example the 585 handpiece), it is still necessary
to re-test patch with the new wavelength/handpiece.
• The aim of the test patch is to determine the most effective fluence settings
for the patient skin type and lesion type, without causing any adverse
reactions.
• Treat a small area, in the area to be treated. The area to be treated needs
to be clean and devoid of cosmetics and creams.
• Client, operator and anyone else in the room must ensure that appropriate
eyewear is worn before treatment commences.
• The treatment block being used for the treatment should also be used for
the IPL test patch. The light guide should be placed gently onto the area
being treated.
• The patch test should be carried out at the fluence suggested by the
EXCELIGHT®️ System for a given skin type, and increased until the
appropriate skin reaction occurs.
• Treatment should be ceased if contra-indications occur.
• Clients must be given clear instructions on post IPL/laser skin care, in
particular, sun avoidance and avoidance of injury to the skin.
• Details of the treatments performed should be accurately recorded in the
client’s record. The entry should be signed and dated.
• If the area to be treated only requires one or two shots (for example, a small
spider naevus), then treatment can go ahead without a test patch if desired.
IPL Post Care for:
Pigmentation
Acne
Skin rejuvenation
Vascular
Hair Removal
POST-TREATMENT CARE
Immediately after any treatment, the skin should be cooled. Cooling can
improve patient comfort and reduce post-operative redness or swelling. Clients
should be instructed in post-treatment care and should be provided with written
take-home instructions recommending:
• Care should be taken to avoid trauma to the treated area for 4 or 5 days
afterwards. Avoid strenuous activities, sauna and steam, excessively hot
baths, massaging etc.
• If the area feels hot or swollen, the use of ice packs and / or aloe vera
gel etc. can improve client comfort and reduce erythema and swelling.
• Wash and bathe as normal but take cool showers rather than hot baths.
The skin should be patted dry and not rubbed.
• Make-up can be applied after several hours, if the skin is not sore or
broken. However, we advise caution if the area is feeling sensitive.
Remove make up carefully as rubbing the skin can cause irritation or
infection. If the skin at the treatment area becomes broken, then make-
up should be avoided.
• Following vascular treatments, a bruise may appear at the treated area.
This may last up to 15 days and as the bruise fades, there may be brown
discolouration of the skin. This usually fades in 1-3 months. When larger
vessels are treated they may take on a darker colour. Again, this may
take up to four weeks to resolve as the body re-absorbs the damaged
vessels.
• Use a sunscreen (SPF 30+) and protect the area from sunlight as much
as possible between treatments and for at least one month after
treatment ends. Failure to do this can lead to sunburn and hyper-
pigmentation of the treated area. (Most cases of changes in
pigmentation occur when the treated area has been exposed to sunlight
or in people with darker skin types).
KMK Advanced Beauty and Training, 44 The Hermitage, Armagh, BT61 8AH
EXCELIGHT®️ System Treatment Protocols Approved by Dr. Ross Martin M.B., Ch.B
Issue 07 : Issue Date 15/08/21 Review Date 15/08/22 Page 12 of 20 pages
• If blistering or crusting occurs, do not pick or scratch the treated area as
this could result in scar tissue formation.