Expert operators

It is essential that your IPL/laser operator can show evidence of Laser training within the last 12 months, as all operators are required to have yearly update training. The longer a clinic or operator has been practising the better, and so ask them how long they personally and the clinic has had the system in place. Most operators are trained by the system manufacturer, but there is also a BTEC qualification in Laser treatments offered in the UK.

Recommendations

A word of mouth recommendation is usually a good indication of a clinic offering safe, effective, high standard treatments. If you approach a clinic for treatment, ask them for a list of clients that you could speak to yourself.

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Laser Vein Removal

Laser Hair Removal

”Suzanne is absolutely brilliant. Highly recommend her as knowledgeable and skilled. I came in to have a consultation to remove some spider veins from my leg that I was really self conscious about. After an initial sensitivity test to check it was safe, less than an hour later the treatment was completed. Most of them disappeared immediately, others that didn't go immediately have disappeared and faded over 3 weeks since. Cannot recommend this treatment, or Suzanne highly enough.

Pre-treatment consultation

The clinic should offer you a thorough no-obligation consultation, which will include an assessment of your skin, medical history and current medications to confirm your suitability for treatment.

It is also an opportunity for you to raise your questions, see ‘before and after’ examples and get an approximate cost for each session. Ask about eye protection and skin cooling too, as these are essential elements of safe treatment.

Giving informed consent

Any IPL or laser treatment could potentially cause unwanted side effects, such as mild burning or blistering (with the risk of scarring if the blisters take time to heal) or long term darkening or lightening of the skin due to pigment changes. The clinic should give you information on both the benefits and risks of the treatment, so that you can make an informed choice before proceeding. You should be given information on the treatment risks and benefits to take home to read after any consultation or treatment.

Laser Hair Removal

Realistic outcomes

It is important that you are not over-sold the capability of the treatment. For some treatments it is clinically very difficult to provide a guarantee of permanency or the total number of treatments that will be required. Many unwanted conditions are induced/controlled by hormones, and are therefore prone to reoccur later in life as hormone levels alter. Most conditions can be significantly improved after laser/IPL treatments and therefore the clinic should give you reasonable expectations of the likely outcome.

Your suitability for laser treatment

Contrary to popular belief, darker skin tones have a higher your risk of developing an unwanted side effect from Laser/IPL treatment.

If you have a dark skin tone ask if the clinic has treated other clients of your skin type successfully before. The area to be treated should not be tanned from natural sun exposure or fake tan at the time of the treatment. Similarly some over the counter or prescribed medications can make your skin photo-sensitive and unsuitable for treatment.

Hopefully, armed with these facts you should be able to make an informed and wise choice for your aesthetic laser treatment and enjoy the benefits for many years.

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Contact Us Today

For more details about the laser treatments that we offer to our customers, give us a call in Colchester today on 01206 851770  or fill in our contact form here.