CONTRAINDICATIONS
Unfortunately not all treatments are for everyone. Please check our contraindications list to make sure you avoid disappointment.
Conditions that would mean you were not able to have this treatments:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) an auto-immune disease often referred to simply as “Lupus”
Any other disease or condition affecting the immune system eg removal of Spleen
Skin cancer in the area to be treated
Pregnant (or still breast feeding)
Bleeding abnormalities
Blood thinning medication (except low dose Aspirin of 75mg or less per day)
Suffer with hypertrophic scarring or keliod formation
Vitiligo
Rheumatoid Arthritis “Gold” or Methotrexate Therapy
HIV
Hepatitis
Biomedical implants or any other metal implants
Type 1 Diabetes & type 2 when on medication
Psoriasis or eczema (on treatment area)
Long term Photosensitive Medications
Very dark skin (Fitzpatrick skin type 6)
Liver or kidney disease
Severe reactions to histamines
Allergic to ultrasound Gel
Conditions that need a doctors letter to confirm the treatment is suitable before treatments can begin:
Epilepsy
Transplant Anti-Rejection Drugs
Thyroid Disease
Heart Disease
Hypertension (High blood pressure treated with medication)
Cancer - after 12 months
The list below is of things that require a waiting period until you can start treatments:
Photosensiting Remedies and short term medication, including but not limited to Retin A, Roaccutane, St.Johns Wort, antibiotics, cortisone - wait 6 months after completion
Active Herpes simplex (Cold Sores) - wait 2 weeks until its healed and use antiviral medication a few days before and continue a week after treatment
Acute fungal infections - Wait until the condition has cleared until having your treatment
UV exposure from sunbathing or sunbeds - wait 4 weeks before your starting your treatment and please note you can not sunbath or go on a sunbed during your course of treatment
Self tanners - Stop using tanners and wait 4 weeks before starting treatments and do not use in the treatment area during your treatment course.
Chemical Peel, Microdermabrasion or Radio Frequency - wait 4 weeks before starting treatments and do not have in the area during your treatment course.
Medical Chemical Peels, Dermabrasion, Laser Skin Resurfacing or Face Lift at site of treatment - wait 6 moths before starting treatments and do not have in the area during your treatment course.
Area being treated with Botox® - wait 3 months
Area being treated with dermal fillers - wait 2 weeks
Depilatory creams - wait 2 weeks
Open lesions -wait until completely healed
Infection - wait until the infection has completely healed
Inflammation - wait until the area has completely calmed down
Tattoos in the treatment area - the area has to be avoided
Moles (if you have a mole, you can still undergo laser based treatments as the beams used aren’t on the UV spectrum, however it is always important to keep an eye on any visual mole alterations that may occur (if you do see anything suspicious, make sure you inform your doctor of the treatment and have it checked as soon as possible)
Pre-Treatment Care
In the lead up to your treatment ensure:
No fake tan 4 weeks prior to your treatment.
No sun exposure 4 weeks prior to your treatment (use SPF 30+ daily).
Take anti-viral medication if you have had recent herpes close to the area.
No alcohol 48 hours before your treatment
Post-Treatment Care
Cold compresses (not ice) and recommended skin care products such as Aloe Vera may be useful if there is any swelling and erythema or general discomfort. Erythema may last for several hours.
You may take over-the-counter pain or anti-inflammatory medication. Hydrocortisone (steroid) cream may decrease any itching or skin irritation. Antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) may be used if skin is broken (very rare) to prevent infection.
Your skin will be fragile for 2 to 3 days. Use gentle cleansers, but do not rub the skin vigorously and avoid cleaning with very hot water during this time. Skin moisturisers may be used and make-up can be applied if the skin is not broken. Aloe Vera gel can help aid recovery
Avoid sun exposure and tanning creams during the entire course of treatments. Use SPF 30 or greater on the treatment area at all times.
The treatment area may be left open and uncovered. Do not scrub the area. Do not use any products on the treated area without first consulting your Aesthetic Therapist.
Avoid soaking for 24 to 48 hours. No hot tubs, whirlpools or baths, but showers are allowed if tepid water is used.
Avoid excessive sweating for 24 to 48 hours. No saunas or vigorous working out.
Keep areas well moisturised and allow any scabs (rare) to fall off on their own. An antibiotic ointment may be used. (This is more likely to occur after treatment of pigmented lesions).
Avoid irritants such as Retin-A, Retinol, Renova, glycolics, bleaching creams and exfoliants for one week.
Refrain from alcohol for 3-7 days (This is particularly recommended after treatment for Thread Veins as alcohol may dilate blood vessels in the treatment area)
Keep well hydrated
It is best to avoid smoking for a period of several weeks before and after your procedure, as smoking constricts the capillaries and taxes the immune system, thereby slowing healing and results
Avoid photosensitivity inducing foods (notably Celery & Leek)
Plucking residual hair is acceptable after hair removal treatment (but not before!)
Makeup can be applied after 2 hours
On occasion, clients experience blistering that causes crusting. This usually does not occur until the following day. If it does occur, the patient can apply warm compresses and a topical antiseptic ointment. This occurrence should be relayed to your Aesthetic Practitioner as future treatments will require that the settings be adjusted.
BENEFITS AND RISKS OF TREATMENTS
This is a general descriptions of various dermatological treatments, including possible benefits and risks that may occur as a result of these treatments. The Aesthetic Practitioner responsible for your treatment will describe and discuss the specific details of your procedure with you and answer your questions. Please read the applicable sections of this consent form carefully. This form may contain words that are unfamiliar to you. Please ask your Practitioner to explain any words or information that you do not clearly understand.
What is E-Light?
The system used delivers electrical energy pulsed at the same frequency as radio waves which is known as Radiofrequency current. This Radiofrequency energy is used combined with Intense Pulsed Light when it is known as E-Light. E-Light has the benefit of causing less discomfort than Intense Pulsed Light alone and can also be used on some darker skin types. Radiofrequency current is the same type of energy used in hair removal by electrolysis – a slight tingling may be felt and some heating of the treatment area may occur. This heating should be counteracted by the cooling pulse delays applied to the skin throughout the treatment. Certain Medical conditions will preclude you from having any treatments involving Radiofrequency along with the need to remove metal bracelets, earrings etc. Your medical history and medication will be reviewed to decide if you are suitable for this type of treatment.
Treatment of Vascular & Pigmented Lesions & Rosacea
E-Light non-ablative (no removal of body tissue) treatment is a technique for eliminating blemished areas from the skin. This is a useful treatment method for both ageing skin and skin with sun damage. The E-Light system is designed to penetrate into the lower layers of the skin without injuring the outer layers. Photographs of the treatment area may be taken for your records and future comparison. Multiple treatments may be necessary to achieve complete satisfaction. Short-term redness can be expected. Benefits of this treatment include the possible reduction or elimination of unsightly pigmented lesions like solar spots or uneven skin colour. Small red blood vessels on the face may be reduced or diminished. Possible risks or discomforts (side effects) may include pain, burning, blister formation, and stinging sensation, infection, pigmentary changes including decrease or increase in skin colour at the site of treatment, scar formation, induced "cold-sore-like" blistering, skin eruptions known as "herpetic" skin eruptions at the site of treatment and poor cosmetic outcome. There may also be possible hair removal at the site of treatment. Please note that these risks and side effects will be minimized or completely eliminated by the use of test patches before your full treatment.
E-Light Skin Rejuvenation
The IPL system has the ability to interact with blood vessels causing them to release chemicals which stimulate the production of new collagen fibres reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. IPL will also have a direct effect on collagen fibres heating and denaturing them which will also stimulate new collagen fibre production. These effects may require multiple treatments and the subtle changes to the appearance of the skin may not be apparent immediately. Photographs may be taken before and during your procedure to document progress of the treatment. Short term redness and some swelling may be expected. Possible risks or discomforts (side effects) may include pain, burning, blister formation, and stinging sensation, infection, pigmentary changes including decrease or increase in skin color at the site of treatment, scar formation, "cold-sore-like" blistering, skin eruptions known as "herpetic" skin eruptions at the site of treatment and poor cosmetic outcome. Hair growth may be affected at the treatment site. Please note that these risks and side effects will be minimized by the use of test patches before your treatment
E-Light Active Acne Therapy
Acne bacteria residing in the sebaceous glands, contain a biochemical called Porphyrin which when activated by certain wavelengths of light causes the death of the bacterial cells. The ELight system that will be used for your treatment is able to deliver the special wavelength of light needed to bring about this destruction of the Acne bacteria. Several treatments may be needed before an improvement is seen. Unfortunately because it is impossible to kill all the Acne bacteria in any one session, the condition usually recurs but hopefully a reduction in the number of active acne pustules will be achieved. Photographs may be taken before and during your procedure to document progress of the treatment. Short term redness and some swelling may occur. Possible risks or discomforts (side effects) may include pain, burning, blister formation, and stinging sensation, infection, pigmentary changes including decrease or increase in skin color at the site of treatment, scar formation, "cold-sore-like" blistering, skin eruptions known as "herpetic" skin eruptions at the site of treatment and poor cosmetic outcome. Hair growth may be affected at the treatment site. Please note that these risks and side effects will be minimized by the use of test patches before your treatment
General Treatment Risks
Eye injury due to use of Intense Pulsed Light/E-Light is a risk to the client and to the practitioner. However, the risks are eliminated with the use of proper eyewear. Your eyes will be covered during any light based IPL/E-light procedure either with special safety spectacles or with goggles similar to those worn in a tanning booth. The practitioner and any other person in the treatment room will be wearing special eyewear that filters out the potential harmful light and allows them to clearly visualize the treatment area.