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FAQs
IPL treatment
Intense Pulsed Light or IPL Hair Removal is a modern form of light therapy used for long-term hair removal. It emits a series of different wavelengths that scatter within the skin reaching various depths and helps break the cycle of hair growth by targeting the hair root or follicle. Light energy from IPL is absorbed by the melanin in the hair, which then turns to heat and destroys the hair cells.
Similar, but not the same! The key difference between laser and IPL is the type of light. Laser uses a single spectrum of concentrated light in one single colour & wavelength. IPL uses a much broader spectrum of light in various colours & wavelengths. Both methods target the melanin in the hair follicle, and can provide long-lasting results. Because laser treatment focuses light into the follicle and not the skin, it is often recommended for darker skin tones which may not be suited to IPL treatment. As the types of light used in the treatment are different for both IPL and laser hair removal, laser treatment is expensive, the treatment time is longer, and maintenance treatment might be required. Whereas IPL hair removal treatment covers broader areas, the procedure is faster, it is affordable and is safe enough to be used at-home for lasting results.
Yes! A number of clinically approved trials have proven that when used properly, IPL can provide significant permanent hair reduction. We even offer a 90-day money-back guarantee, so you can give Silk & Shine IPL Handset a try risk-free.
IPL breaks the cycle of hair growth by disabling the hair root or follicle with a burst of light energy. With regular maintenance treatments to catch new hairs IPL will continue to prevent regrowth keeping your skin hair-free. However, all forms of IPL or Laser hair removal systems will need some maintenance, as human body has dormant hairs under the skin that may grow in. After completing all the sessions on a 12 week period with your handset, you will only need to touch up once every 3 months to maintain the hairless silky smooth skin.
1. Make sure that you read the Silk & Shine IPL Handset User Manual before you start your treatments.
2. Shave and clean the areas you are going to use our IPL handset and ensure your skin is dry and free from lotion, perfume, artificial tan and deodorant. The area has to be free of sunburn. Do not wax, pluck or tweeze the hair out.
3. Plug the device in.
4. Press the control button once. The device will turn on, the level 1 energy level indicator light will be on, and a fan sound will start.
5. Select the intensity level that suits your skin tone (according to the instructions).
6. Place the device against the area you wish to treat at a 90° angle, applying slight pressure. Once there is full skin contact, the light will turn green. The device will only work once this happens, which is a great safety feature. Then press the large front button. You will feel a warm sensation, that is normal. If it hurts, turn down the intensity settings.
7. Continue moving the device to new areas after each flash, until you have finished your treatment.
8. If you wish to treat the area in auto mode (read more below about the difference between the manual mode and auto mode), hold the large front button for 2-3 seconds, this will enable auto mode. Once it is enabled all you need to do is press the window against the skin and just glide through any body part you want to apply the IPL treatment on.
9. Once you have finished using the device hold the green button to turn off and unplug the device from the wall.
10. After finishing the treatment, wipe the screen with the cloth, soft microfiber cloth like a glasses cleaning cloth.
Yes, you should shave the desired areas before using your handset. A close to skin shave is best recommended. The goal is for the light energy to reach the hair follicle as quickly as possible, so shaving beforehand is essential to achieve the best results. The hair follicle does need to be in tact for IPL to be effective. This means you should not apply other forms of hair removal including waxing, plucking, threading, epilating.
One should only shave when it is required. Threading, waxing or plucking will remove the hair follicle completely from the skin at its root thus rendering the IPL process useless. In order for the light to target and destroy the hair, you must leave the root beneath the surface of the skin. Thus shaving the area is the only appropriate form of preparation for any type of laser hair removal, including an IPL treatment.
Most customers begin to notice a reduction of hair after just 3-4 treatments, with complete results after 8-12 treatments. However, the duration of hair removal sessions varies person to person according to their body area, hair colour and how the device is used.
It is quite common for hair to appear as if it is still growing up to two weeks after a hair removal session. This process is known as ejection, and after about two weeks you’ll see that these hairs simply fall out. Please do not pull out the treated hairs, just let them fall out naturally.
We recommend using your handset once a week for the first 12 weeks. After this period use your handset once a month, for 3 months or until satisfied. To maintain hairless smooth skin, use your handset once every 2 to 3 months, or as needed.
We recommend avoiding exposure to artificial light sources, such as tanning booths or solariums. Avoid any activity or skin products that may irritate your skin for 24 hours after treatment. This includes using hot tubs or saunas, wearing tight- fitting clothing, using bleaching creams, perfumed products or peeling products. The above may cause irritation, such as itching and redness, in the treated areas.
Safety
Clinical IPL treatments already exist for 25 years and researches have not shown appearance of skin cancer or fertility issues. No serious side effects or damage from long-term use have been reported. Silk & Shine IPL technology is derived from the technology used in professional salons. We have adapted the technology for safe and effective use at home. As long as the Silk & Shine IPL Handset used in accordance with the user manual, you should not experience any adverse side effects.
To protect the skin, it is not suitable to use the Silk & Shine IPL Handset if you have any of the following:
- A known skin disorder
- A skin disease such as allergic dermatitis, eczema, etc.
- Photosensitization
- Epilepsy
- Are menstruating, pregnant or lactating
- Black or Sunburnt skin (please refer to the color chart)
- Black or fuscescens nevus
- Broken skin, a scab or healed wound, cancer or hemangioma
- Any artificial aesthetic, prosthetic or plastic area
You can feel a bit of heat but it is not painful. Most customers describe the feeling as repeatedly being snapped by a rubber band. However, the sensation varies from person to person, and from one treatment area to another. For your convenience, the device has five energy levels that can be set according to your own sensitivity and tolerance.
Pain can occasionally be experienced during or after treatment:
* If you have used Silk & Shine IPL Handset on unshaved skin
* If you use Silk & Shine IPL Handset at a light intensity that is too high for your skin colour
* If you flash the same area repeatedly
* If you use Silk & Shine IPL Handset on open wounds, inflammations, infections, tattoos, burns, etc.
If you start feeling burning pain or discomfort, adjust the level down or stop using the device.
Please check this list to make sure you are using the device correctly.
Possibilities for painful experience with the Silk & Shine IPL Handset:
- You have recently been exposed to the sun. We recommend staying out of strong sun exposure for 2 weeks before using our Handset.
- Your skin tone is darker than the recommended tones. Please check the skin tone chart on our website or in your user guide.
- You are using it at an intensity level that is too high for your skin. We always recommend starting with level 1 intensity to see how your skin reacts, after 2 sessions you can gradually increase the level each couple of sessions if you feel discomfort go back to a lower intensity.
- You have not shaved first. We always recommend shaving first because the Silk & Shine IPL Handset may burn long hairs and it won't be effective to target the hair root if the hair is too long.
- You are not lifting the Silk & Shine IPL Handset after each flash. Doing this could harm the device and yourself. We recommend slightly lifting the Handset after each flash to allow for cool air to cool down the quartz bulb.
- You applied a cooling gel, lotion or any other type of applicant before treatment. We don't recommend using any lotion or ointment before treatment, our device is meant to be used without one.
Silk & Shine IPL Handset is suitable for all but the darkest skin tones. This is because the light energy may be more attracted to the pigments in the skin rather than the melanin in the hair. Refer to the skin tone chart below to see whether or not the Silk & Shine IPL Handset is suitable for you.
IPL technology relies on melanin in the hair absorbing the light energy, and therefore IPL is not effective on very light blonde, red, or grey coloured hair. Refer to the hair colours chart below to see whether or not the Silk & Shine IPL Handset is suitable for you.
