Medical Exclusions for IPL Treatments

• Unprotected sun exposure or use of tanning beds or creams. If you have had unprotected sun exposure in the areas to be treated in the last 4 weeks, you must notify the aesthetician. Protected sun exposure means wearing of protective clothing or use of a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater.

• Pregnancy. If you are pregnant you should not have any treatments with light based devices. Although there is no evidence at this time of fetal harm from a light based system, the results of the treatment may be erratic or unreliable due to fluctuations in hormonal levels and changes in physiological conditions.

• Menstrual dysfunction. If you have menstrual dysfunction or are known to have elevated androgen levels you should see an endocrinologist for evaluation and possible medical treatment. You may tend to have excess hair growth due to your disease, which may respond better to medical treatment.

• Use of mechanical epilation. Notify the aesthetician if you are seeking hair removal and have used a mechanical epliation method less than 6 weeks prior to treatment. This includes plucking, waxing, tweezing, electrolysis, or sugaring.

• Allergies. Inform your treatment provider of any allergies to medications, latex, foods or other substances.

• History of seizures. If you have a history of seizures or are taking an anti-seizure medication, you should not be having treatments with a light based device. Flashing lights may trigger a seizure.

• Medications. Inform the aesthetician of both prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking. Be sure to include herbal and natural remedies as some may cause photosensitivity. Consumers should not be taking Accutane, anti-coagulants, or St. John’s wort.

• History of keloid & hypertrophic scar formation. Although scarring is rare, picking or pulling off scabs or crusting can result in scarring. For this reason, it is recommended to exclude you from the treatment if you have a known tendency to form keloid or hypertrophic scars.

• Active infections/immuno-suppression. Active infections and immuno-suppression compromise the healing ability of the body. If you currently have an active infection your treatment will be postponed until the infection is cleared.

• Open lesions. Treatment will only be done on intact, healthy skin.

• Herpes I or II. If you have a history of herpes outbreaks in the area of treatment, you should consult with your primary care physician for a medical evaluation and possible prophylaxis prior to treatment.

• Tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova). Although tretinoin use in the area to be treated is not absolutely contraindicated, it is however, known to make skin more sensitive and prone to exfoliation. You are advised to discontinue use of tretinoin and other skin exfoliating products 2 weeks before and during the course of treatment.

• Oral isotretinoin (Accutaine). You will be excluded from treatments with the light based device if you have taken Accutane within the preceding 6 months. Accutane changes the underlying structure of the skin, which may cause unreliable results. It may also increase skin sensitivity to light.

TOP