The Ellipse computer has pre-programmed treatment protocols for different hair and pigment types. The facial treatment usually takes 10 minutes whereas both legs and/or an entire back take approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour. For most clients six to eight treatments with a one to two month interval is sufficient to remove virtually all hairs on the body. After the first treatment most clients get a significant reduction in hair density also new grown hairs tend to become finer.

The treatment works on only the hairs in the active anagen (growth) phase – at any time only a proportion of your hair will be actively growing, which is the main reason why repeated treatments are needed. It is important to know that the first treatment is believed to synchronize the anagen (growth) phase of all the hairs. This may cause what seems to be re-growth but which is actually just the sleeping hairs starting to grow at the same time (new growth). This in turn makes the next treatment(s) more effective.

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
You should shave on the morning of your treatment, usually leaving a small patch of hair so that target hair thickness can be checked.
It is important that you have had no tan, sunbed or fake tan before Ellipse IPL treatment (4 weeks).
You should not wax, bleach, thread or epilate for two weeks prior to Ellipse IPL treatment. Only shave.

The skin is clean, shaved, and a clear ultrasound gel is applied in a thin layer. 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 warm pulse through the applicator as the light is discharged, which some describe as like that of an elastic band shot against the skin. The hair follicles are heated instantly by the light pulse (the light is attracted to the colour in the hair). The follicles are killed by the heat but the hairs remain in the skin and often become attached to the epidermis. They will fall out after 1 to 3 weeks as the epidermis is renewed. During this period it will seem that the hairs are growing as the epidermis pushes them out.
1 treatment every 4-8 weeks (an average of 6 sessions is usually required).

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
No picking or scratching the area
After 4 days you may shave or exfoliate the skin, which will help the dead hairs to be expelled (they may look as though they are still growing, but they are moving up through the hair follicle to be expelled), this process takes 1-3 weeks.
For 30 to 60 days after treatment you must avoid sunbeds and wear sun protection to prevent hyperpigmentation.
Shaving is the only appropriate method of controlling your hair between treatments.

IPL hair removal with Ellipse is safe for skin types 1 to light 5 (palest to dark olive)
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.
Cant be treated if you are pregnant

Immediately after a treatment, your skin will be red. This varies according to how sensitive your skin is. Some may find that the hair follicles become red and slightly raised. This quickly settles.

1 treatment every 6-8 weeks (an average of 6 sessions is usually required).

Consultation is free, which includes the essential patch testing of your skin.

IPL prices are worked out with you depending on the area of the body being treated (cost is based on number of laser shots required for treatment). It is usual to purchase a course of 5 treatments (with a sixth free).

For example, upper lip, chin and jawline would be £200 for the course of 5 (6 treatments); Half-leg would be £750 for the course of 5(6 treatments)

 **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