Laser Hair Removal

For many men and women hair removal is a never ending, time consuming and laborious process. But now it need not be such a hardship and chore.

It can drastically reduce unwanted hair for many years. It has been tried and tested by thousands of satisfied patients across the world.

 Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology provides  effective, long term hair reduction. IPL is non-invasive and can treat most areas of the body in both men and women. IPL works best at removing hair when it is in the active growth phase but not all hair in the treatment area will be in this phase at any given time, therefore, IPL treatments are spread over a period of time. For best results a series of treatment sessions are needed. Treatments are spaced 4-6 weeks apart due to the hair growth cycle.

To gain the maximum benefit of IPL Hair Removal, clinical studies have shown that typically 6-10 treatments are needed and at intervals 4-6 weeks apart. Results will vary depending on hair colour, skin type and the condition of your hair.

What is laser hair removal?

The extended pulse IPL machine can treat most areas of the body in both women and men, including the face. It treats a much larger area of skin per light pulse than laser hair treatment resulting in faster and cheaper treatment.

In the vast majority of cases a series of treatments will permanently reduce the unwanted hair from the target area. Our methods are proven and safe.

How IPL hair removal works

The machine has a unique dual phase pulse which is designed to provide efficient destruction of hair follicles. It removes hair by sending out high-energy light pulses. There are actually two beams of light, one yellow and one red, which together affect both the existing hair and the follicles where the hair grows.

IPL works best at removing hair when it’s in the active growth phase. But not all the hair in the treatment area will be in this phase at any given time. So we spread our IPL treatments out over a period of time. This is to make sure that hair which isn’t treated in one session is affected in the next. 

Am I suitable for IPL treatment?

Most people are suitable for IPL treatment.  It is essential that you have not been recently in the sun, sunburned or tanned, using a sunbed or have applied fake tan on the skin to be treated. Dark hairs are easiest to treat due to the high melanin content.  Fair hair contains less melanin and is more difficult to treat and grey or white hair has no melanin and therefore is unsuitable.

Your IPL treatment

The hair removal procedure itself is very straightforward. You’ll lie on a couch or bed and make yourself comfortable. As a safety measure, you’ll be asked to wear some eye protection, which the nurse will also wear. Teresa runs the equipment, a small handheld unit, slowly over the specified area. You might feel a slight burning and tingling sensation. Sometimes the skin swells or reddens slightly, depending on which part of your body is being treated. 

Afterwards she’ll apply cooling packs to the area to minimise any discomfort. Treatment times vary depending on the person and the area being treated. Depending on what treatment you’re having, the procedure can be as brief as ten minutes.

Will I need more than one treatment session?

Normally six to eight treatment sessions are needed to provide a permanent reduction of hair growth. This is because at any given time some of the follicles in the treatment area won’t be in the growth phase. We spread our treatments out to make sure that hair that isn’t treated in one session is affected in the next. Facial hair tends to be more stubborn and may need ten to twelve treatment sessions or occasionally more in very resistant cases.

The gap between sessions is usually four weeks for facial areas and six weeks for body areas. The number of hair removal sessions depends on various factors, including where the hair is, how thick it is and also your particular skin type and hair colour. For the best results we recommend that you complete the full series of treatment sessions.

After IPL hair removal

For the first few days after your treatment you should apply aloe vera gel to soothe the affected area. A sun-cream of at least SPF30 should be applied to exposed treated areas every day for at least four weeks, regardless of the weather. You should not expose the treated area to the sun or use sun beds for at least four weeks before and after treatment.

What are the risks of IPL hair removal?

There may be some redness and swelling after the treatment but this usually only lasts one or two days. Sometimes there can be an increase or loss of pigmentation (colouring) in the skin. In a very small number of cases the skin’s texture may change slightly. IPL very rarely causes scarring.

The Consultation Appointment

Teresa will allow at least 30 to 40 minutes for your initial consultation appointment. The appointment is lengthy in order to take a detailed medical history, discuss the proposed treatment and carry out the patch test to ensure you have no adverse reaction to IPL treatment in the area concerned and determine the correct fluence to use for each individual.  The consultation fee of £35 is offset against any treatment you choose. Please contact the reception at Ghyllmount to book your consultation and patch test.  Appointments can be made on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Teresa will endeavour to be flexible if you occasionally need to make an appointment outside normal working hours.  When booking an appointment you will be asked for a contact number.  

Price Guide

The price guide below shows a selection of standard treatments.   It is possible to have small areas of eg. Legs, thighs or backs treated.  Prices for these areas will be determined at your consultation appointment.

Pricing for treatments are per session.  The number of sessions required to reach the best result can vary with the individual and area being treated.  The prices below are a guide only.

Top Lip	£20
Chin	£25-35
Underarms	£30
Bikini	£40-65
Lower Leg	£140
Back	£140

Thread Vein Removal

A large proportion of the population suffers from facial thread veins. These range from small telangiectasia (small thread veins) on cheeks and nose to Rosacea affecting cheeks and forehead.  Most people choose to cover these up with make-up. IPL thread vein treatment offers an effective and clinically proven therapy to remove these lesions.  A consultation and patch test appointment is essential to assess your treatment needs and suitability.  Treatment intervals of 3-4 weeks are required. 

Thread veins are formed by an increase in the size of small blood vessels beneath the surface of the skin. Sometimes referred to as telangiectasia or spider naevi, these tiny red, blue or purple veins can appear anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the face and legs.

Thread vein removal treatment is carried out using energy heat pulses which are applied in short bursts which close down the thread veins without perforating them or damaging the surrounding tissue. Following the thread vein removal treatment the vessels quickly clear and are re-absorbed by the body, leaving little or no trace of the original lesion.

FAQ

Why do thread veins develop?

Thread veins are caused by a variety of factors including exposure to ultra violet light, wind and extremes of temperature. Steroid creams and the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can also induce thread veins.

Some individuals are genetically more prone to develop thread veins than others and some people are more at risk because of old injuries. If your parents had thread veins, then there is a good chance that you will develop them.

It is possible that hormone treatments, such as the contraceptive pill and HRT can increase the likelihood of forming thread veins.

How does laser thread vein removal work?

All lasers/IPLs (Intense Pulsed Light) work by producing light of a very specific wavelength. If the wavelength of the laser is matched to a target colour (such as the red of blood in the vessel wall), the energy of the laser is absorbed specifically by the target but not by the surrounding tissues.

The IPL produces a slightly wider range of wavelengths of light, but works in exactly the same way.

The IPL delivers a series of energy pulses generating heat for very short periods of time; this energy closes down the thread veins, without perforating them.

The damaged veins are gradually dissolved away and disappear over several weeks after treatment.

The Consultation Appointment

Teresa will allow at least 30 to 40 minutes for your initial consultation appointment. The appointment is lengthy in order to take a detailed medical history, discuss the proposed treatment and carry out the patch test to ensure you have no adverse reaction to IPL treatment in the area concerned and determine the correct fluence to use for each individual.  The consultation fee of £35 is offset against any treatment you choose. Please contact the reception at Ghyllmount to book your consultation and patch test.  Appointments can be made on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Teresa will endeavour to be flexible if you occasionally need to make an appointment outside normal working hours.  When booking an appointment you will be asked for a contact number.  

Price Guide

Prices for Thread Vein Treatments vary according to the size of the area to be treated.

Cheeks, Chin and Nose	£30-40
Decolletage	£40-50

 

Pigment (Age Spot) Removal

Pigmentation, the medical term for darker-coloured patches of skin that can appear on the face, hands, decolletage, neck and shoulders as well as other areas, can really give your age away. Also known as age spots and sun spots, pigmentation is caused by UVA rays that penetrate deep within the skin, stimulating melanin production. Pigmentation often occurs 10-20 years after the initial damage.

IPL treatment has been seen to effectively reduce and remove age spots quickly within 1-3 treatments with a treatment interval of 2-4 weeks.  A consultation and test patch appointment is necessary to assess your treatment suitability.

Prices vary according to the number of lesions to be treated.

The Consultation Appointment

Teresa will allow at least 30 to 40 minutes for your initial consultation appointment. The appointment is lengthy in order to take a detailed medical history, discuss the proposed treatment and carry out the patch test to ensure you have no adverse reaction to IPL treatment in the area concerned and determine the correct fluence to use for each individual.  The consultation fee of £35 is offset against any treatment you choose. Please contact the reception at Ghyllmount to book your consultation and patch test.  Appointments can be made on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Teresa will endeavour to be flexible if you occasionally need to make an appointment outside normal working hours.  When booking an appointment you will be asked for a contact number.  

Price Guide

Back Of Hands	£30
Odd Lesions On Face	£20-30
Single Lesion	£10

 

Teresa Harkes

At Eden IPL Treatments at Ghyllmount I provide IPL (intense pulsed light) laser hair removal, thread vein and age spot removal treatments in a safe, relaxed and confidential environment. 

I have worked as a dental hygienist in the Penrith and Eden area for 25 years and am experienced in working within safe, clinical boundaries whilst providing a friendly, personal service tailored to your individual needs. 

I set up Eden IPL treatments in 2013 to provide a much needed local service for women and men to access  a more permanent solution to unwanted facial and body hair, thread veins, rosacea and age spots caused by sun damage.

I hold the Aesthetic Laser and IPL Core of Knowledge Certificate.  I completed operational training with the Lynton Clinic in Cheadle whose courses are developed in collaboration with the University of Manchester and the British Medical Laser Association.  My IPL Laser is a Luminette Advance and my treatment room has been inspected by local Environmental Health Officers.

Appointment Times

Tuesday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm

It is possible for me to provide treatments outside these times on occasions.