The following conditions, medications and other aesthetic treatments may contra-indicate you from Laser and IPL treatments ​

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Immune system disorders/diseases • Auto Immune disorders • Severe rheumatoid Arthritis • Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis • Lupus • Multiple Sclerosis • Hepatitis A, B, C • HIV   

Chronic Disease • IBD • Chron’s Disease • Ulcerative colitis 

Blood Disorders/ bleeding abnormalities • Thrombocytopenia • Haemophilia Von Willebrand’s • Peripheral Vascular Disease 

Acute or chronic kidney disease • Renal failure 

Type I Diabetes  

Pregnancy • Breast-feeding  

Active Infections or inflammatory skin conditions at the treatment site • Severe histamine reactions like urticaria

History of hyper or hypopigmentation • Dark spots on the skin during pregnancy can make you prone to further pigmentation in the area •  Vitiligo

Prone to Keloid/hypertrophic scarring  

Surgical metal pins/plates, implants or Pacemaker in the area to be treated  

Surgery or minor surgery (within the last 6 months).

Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy • Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for cancer • Malignancy • Cancer drug therapy (such as Dacarbazine, Fluorouracil, Methotrexate, etc.)

Some blood thinning medication

Anticoagulants such as: Warfarin • Heparin • Clexane • Dabigatran (except low dose of Aspirin of 75mg a day or less) totally exclude you from treatment.

Fitzpatrick skin type 5 (not all treatments) or 6  

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In some instances, we can, or may ask for a letter of authorisation from your registered healthcare professional before treatment can commence. For example

Epilepsy. Thyroid Disorders. Type 2 diabetes. Polycystic ovaries. Anaemia.

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Common medications that may cause photosensitivity, make you unsuitable, or mean we need to delay treatment, can include, but are not limited to:

• Antibiotics, Antidepressants, Antihistamines, Antihypertensives, Antiparasitics, Antipsychotics, Contraceptives, Diuretics, Hypoglycaemics, NSAID, and Retinoids. ​

• Topical retinoids Tretinoin (Retin-A, RENOVA®), Differin (Adapalene) and Tazarotene (Tazorac). Topical antibiotic Minocycline – wait at least 4 weeks after last application.​

• Notable short-term drugs (if taken for 6 weeks or less) are Tetracyclines antibiotics (Doxycycline and Minocycline), and steroids. Even though they have been taken short-term you need to wait for at least 6 weeks for the drug to be completely excreted from the system following the completion of the course. ​

• Notable long-term drugs (longer than 6 weeks) are Oral retinoids such as Isotretinoin (Ro-Accutane), Acitretin (Neotigason) and Alitretinoin (Toctino). Antibiotic Minocycline. Cardiology drug Amiodarone - wait 6 months until after completion of course.

• Some Malaria tablets taken recently

• Organ transplant / anti-rejection drugs suppress the immune system therefore require Doctor/surgeon authorisation.

• Steroids, oral or topical - wound healing impairment is dependent on potency, dose and duration of use; therefore, it is advisable to obtain Doctor confirmation to proceed. Where possible wait at 6 weeks (2 if topical) after last dose before commencing IPL.

• High or regular doses of Aspirin, Ibuprofen or Diclofenac should be cleared from your system for 1-2 weeks prior to laser treatment. 

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Supplements

St. John's Wort or Fever Few herbal remedies – wait for at least 4 weeks once finished.

Avoid taking the supplement Biotin as this stimulates hairgrowth throughout the body. 

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Aesthetic Treatments

Botox or fillers at treatment site only – wait for 3 months

Any other procedures over the treatment area (Dermabrasion, chemical peels, retinol treatments or other re-surfacing skin treatments) – wait 3 months.

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Other important considerations during treatment course

Retinol Creams/gels, AHA (Glycolic acid), BHAs (Salicylic acid) or benzyl peroxide and steroid creams/gels should be avoided whilst having IPL/laser treatments.

No active Herpes Simplex (cold sores) – wait for at least 2 weeks after using treatment such as Zovirax before laser treatments 

Avoid using pure essential oils for 3 days before treatment

No ibuprofen should not be taken for 48 hrs prior to patch tests, and treatments, throughout the course. 

Avoid direct sun exposure and the use of tanning products for 30 days prior to each treatment (higher melanin content in the skin will increase the risk of burns during treatment)

Have a cold/flu/infection or any symptoms of being rundown/exhausted within the last week, please rescedule.

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Please inform us of any change in your health, conditions, or medications so that we can check that you are still suitable for treatment. In some instances, we may need to re-patch test you or delay your next treatment for a short period of time. Each time you have treatment, you will be asked to sign that there have been no changes to your health or medications.

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You will be given a copy of pre-treatment and aftercare advice during your visit.

 

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