Page 128 - Chapter 3 - An Introduction to Laser/IPL Hair Removal

Chapter 3 – Fundamentals of Laser/IPL Hair Removal 1st Edition
Unless you supply a ‘conduit’ for the heat to escape – a water-based gel and ice-packs are the optimum solution – this heat may start cooking the dermis and cause pain.
We recommend cooling the skin for between five and ten minutes after the end of the treatment session to be sure that all of the excess heat energy has been removed.
Limit your treatment area so that the cooling remains effective. There is no point cooling a large area (such as legs or a back) and then allowing it to heat up naturally during your treatment.
We cannot stress enough how important skin cooling is!! In all photothermal treatments we are deliberately trying to raise the temperature of something in the skin. Thermodynamics tells us that this will result in heat energy flowing around, all over the place – especially into areas where we just don’t want it. We must mitigate against this heat by using sufficient cooling.
Short of inducing freezing damage, it is hard to see how we can “over-cool” the treatment areas!
Skin Pressure
This only applies to devices which make physical contact with the skin surface, including all IPLs and most diode lasers. Our clinical tests have indicated that applying a firm pressure when treating hair may be beneficial. Not only does it aid the surface contact cooling process, it also ‘squeezes’ blood from the capillaries. This may have a ‘marginal’ benefit in the treatment process, or it may not!
Some diode laser manufacturers employ a vacuum system to help relieve the pain sensation. This is based on some research from a few years ago which indicated that using a vacuum appeared to reduce the sensation. In our opinion, applying a heat-removing cold tip is much more efficient in reducing the pain.
Test Patches
Test patches are important! They will help you find the most appropriate fluence levels for each individual client/patient whilst indicating any potential problems which may arise. Many insurance companies demand that test patches are carried out prior to any treatment programs beginning.
A very good, and highly recommended, practice is to spend the first visit with the client/patient imparting information and carrying out tests on 2 - 4 test areas (if more than one area is to be treated). These test areas should be as close to the treatment areas as possible and with
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