Medical Cosmetic Service

Pre-IPL Check List

• You cannot have treatment if you are pregnant.
• Are you taking any medication?
  Check with Medical Cosmetic Service that it does not cause photo sensitivity.
• Aloe Vera gel will be applied after treatment – do not wear best clothes.
• If having under-arms treated, start using a long acting deodorant a week before treatment, so that you can afford to miss out on the day after treatment.
• You will not be applying anything to your skin for 4 hours after treatment.
• You cannot drink for 24 hours after treatment. Check your diary!
• Do not pluck or wax hairy area before treatments, otherwise it will not work. You can shave or use depilatory cream (preferably 48-72 hours before).
• Wear white underwear if under-arms or bikini area being treated.
• Stop photosensitive medication for 2 weeks before treatments – in particular Retinol/Retin A type cream.
• IPL treatment cannot be applied to a sore/broken/damaged area of skin, so keep well moisturised and stop any treatment that can affect skin in this way.
• Stop all sunbed treatments 4 weeks before treatment and throughout course, otherwise IPL will BURN you. If you are going to continue with sunbeds (against my advice) do not restart for 4 weeks.
• Do not apply fake tan for 1 week before or during treatment course, otherwise IPL will BURN you.
• Very recent surgery in treatment area is contraindicated.