WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HAVING LASER AND INTENSE PULSE LIGHT TREATMENTS OVER SUMMER 

Nothing says New Zealand summer, like days spent relaxing at the beach and balmy nights around the barbecue. Sun, sand, and salt are essentials to any kiwi summer, but with this amazing weather comes more cautions when having Intense Pulse Light (IPL) hair removal or laser facials due to UltraViolet light (UVA & UVB) exposure. 

Zapping those hairs away over summer is definitely possible, but most skin experts will encourage you to ideally have IPL hair removal or laser facial treatments over winter. Here are some top tips if you are having IPL hair removal or laser facial treatments over summer months. 

Avoid Sun Exposure – This rule is NOT MEANT TO BE BROKEN! and is one of the first things your skin expert will talk to you about when having IPL hair removal or laser Facial treatments especially over summer. Avoiding sun exposure and fake tan before your treatment will ensure you get the best results and prohibit permanent damage to your skin. The problem is the sun makes skin more sensitive to heat and using a laser or IPL on heat sensitive skin can cause hyperpigmentation, burns and even scarring. 

Factor in downtime – Summer is a busy time of year, so it is important to realise your skin will need downtime to heal post-treatment. This means you need to be aware of social events or plans that may involve you being outside like at the beach or on the boat as treated areas should not be exposed directly to the sun. It’s also important to avoid going to the gym, sauna, jacuzzi or swimming in the ocean or pool for at least two days after your treatment, after that point, it’s safe to get your sweat on! You also need to refrain from exfoliating your skin for at least five days following treatment.

Wear and reapply SPF – Wearing a high-quality mineral based sunscreen, even when you aren't in the sun will help prevent damage to the treated area. We recommend a physical sunblock like EltaMD over a chemical block as it reflects UV light and works immediately, unlike chemical blocks that can take up to 20 minutes to become effective and remember to reapply every 2 hours. Part of being sun safe is also covering up, so make sure you cover the treated area. 

Alternative facial treatments to have during summer – If you are in need of some skin rejuvenation over summer, our latest skin innovation when it comes to boosting collagen for a more luminous-looking complexion is Dermapen 4, it is the gold standard in dermal needling! A cutting-edge skin treatment designed to improve the look of wrinkles, scarring, pigmentation, stretch marks for the face and body and also reduces can. It is perfect for over the warmer months as we can still treat a variety of skin concerns with less risk, learn more about it here.

Our LED Light Therapy is also a safe and effective treatment during summer. Currently, we have mini-course available until the end of March, perfect for naturally treating acne as well as reviving skin, post-summer or for that special event. It restores overall skin health and radiance to all skins regardless of age, colour or type. Learn more here.

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