The Ellipse computer has pre-programmed treatment protocols for vessel and pigment types, and different handpieces for treating brown or red pigment. At consultation we will determine your skin type, and ensure that there are no indications that IPL would not be appropriate for you (for example, if the pigmentation is hormonal, following pregnancy, or if you have recently had sun exposure, fake tan, or sunbeds, or are on medications which may make you photo sensitive or photo-allergic.

Pigmented lesions such as sun damage can often be cleared in a single treatment, while vascular lesions and broken capillaries often require two to three sessions.

You will come for an initial consultation, where we will take a clinical record and make sure that you are not on any medication that would affect the treatment or make your skin more light sensitive. We will establish your skin type (the base pigment of your skin), and ensure that there is no active tan. We will do a patch test of the device on the chosen settings for your skin. After 24 hours it is safe to continue with the full treatment. This patch test is important even if you have had IPL before on a different machine as it ensures your safe response to the chosen settings on this Ellipse.

Before treatment
It is important that you have had no tan, sunbed or fake tan before Ellipse IPL treatment (4 weeks).

Photo rejuvenation treatments are usually combined with AHA peels for improved skin clarity and results

 A clear ultrasound gel is applied in a thin layer onto your clean skin. The applicator is placed in contact with the skin surface and the light pulses through it onto the skin. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area and the process is repeated. You will feel a very fast hot pulse through the applicator as the light is discharged, which some describe as like that of an elastic band shot against the skin. The target pigments are heated instantly by the light pulse (the light is attracted to the specific wavelength of colour in the skin).

Your skin will become red, and feel warm. Aloe vera gel is applied, as for a sunburn. If the target was brown pigment, these areas will darken over the next couple of hours. They may become quite dark. Over the next days this pigment will move to the surface and granulate, looking like dark coffee grounds on the skin. Sometimes these dark areas will crust, if the pigment was intense. It is important not to pick at this but to keep it well moisturised.

 After 5-10 days, the pigment will appear to wash off the surface

After treatment, the skin may be reddened and feel warm, like mild sunburn. Aloe Vera gel will be applied, and this can be continued if the skin continues to feel hot.
For 24 to 48 hours, you should avoid:

Perfumed products, Excessive heat (hot baths or showers, sauna, or steam room)
No swimming or gym (excessive heat)
No picking or scratching the area, keep it moisturised
For 30 to 60 days after treatment you must avoid sunbeds and wear sun protection to prevent hyperpigmentation.

IPL by Ellipse is safe for pigmentation on skin types 1 to 3 (palest to mediterranean)
Some medications make your skin light sensitive, and therefore not appropriate for light-based treatments. We will check this at consultation. Such medications include St Johns Wort, antibiotics, roaccutane, some blood pressure medications.
Blood thinning medications are contra indicated as they may lead to bruising – this includes waferin and aspirin, ibuprofen.

Can’t be treated if you are pregnant, and because hormones can affect pigmentation, not while breastfeeding or within months of pregnancy

Immediately after a treatment, your skin will be red. This varies according to how sensitive your skin is. Pigmented areas will be intensified and can become quite dark before they clear – for 5-10 days. This can be disguised with concealer.

Pigmented lesions are often cleared in one treatment. Vascular lesions can take 2-3. I usually tell clients they will require 1-3, and they decide after the first one as and when further treatment is needed. The tiny vessels find their way back in due course and so maintenance treatments will be needed from time to time.

Consultation is £30 includes the essential patch testing of your skin.

IPL prices depend on the scale of the area being treated, whether multiple passes are needed, or multiple treatment course is needed (cost is roughly based on the number of laser shots required). 

For example, IPL for the face would usually be £130, hands £70

 **The Good Skin Place®  has the option for interest-free monthly payment plans, which spread the cost of treatment in a way that works for you. Monthly payment plans are also popular for topup treatments – ensuring regular topups and payments equally spread through the year