So just what should you do to ensure a safe and effective IPL treatment?

1. Research your Clinic - Remember the saying 'If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is'.
   It's important when you get IPL that you have somebody who knows what they are doing.
   In my opinion, IPL is 90% theory and 10% practical, so as an operator, it's important that they understand more about how IPL works than they do about how to push a button.
   Any old person can do IPL, but do they know IPL?
2. Have an In-Depth Consultation - If your consultation is a quick in and out, or perhaps there is no consultation at all, then alarm bells should be ringing from the start.
   IPL is a paramedical procedure and can cause complications if it is used at the wrong setting or on the wrong person.
   At XY all of our IPL consultations go for 45 minutes.
   We conduct an extremely thorough medical check including your medical history, treatment history, ethnic background and gathering any other information we need to know.
   We then explain to you how IPL works, not just for your specific treatment, but how it works in general and in other areas.
   We then perform 3 different test patches for you and determine whether your skin is suitable for IPL treatments.
   Once we have completed this, we will then put together a treatment package individually dsigned for you.
   
3. Ask what to do before your treatment - Things like ensuring that you stay out of the sun, refrain from wearing a chemical based make-up, avoid spray tanning, checking any pigmented spots with your GP; are all things that should be taken into account before your IPL treatment.
   Don't be shy and ask your technician what you should and shouldn't do in the days leading up to your treatment.
   
4. Arrive 10 minutes before your treatment - Arriving 10 minutes prior will ensure that you can get any necessary paperwork completed and in order before you go into your treatment.
   This will ensure that your treatment is performed on time and without any delay.
   
5. Follow your technician's post care advice - Much like your instructions for before your treatment, there are also things you need to do post treatment to ensure the best results for you.
   A reputable IPL clinic should provide you with both verbal and written instructions post treatment.
   Follow these instructions to the letter and you should have no future complications.
   It is extremely important that if you do not understand something that your technician has said, you ask for clarification.
   

Following the steps above will almost guarantee you IPL success.
Remember that IPL is a high performance treatment and that complications can exist if you are not treated by the right person from the right clinic, you are not consulted correctly, and you do not follow pre and post care instructions.
IPL in my opinion, is one of the best results driven treatments available today! Just make sure you get value for money and that you follow the 5 steps listed above.
Good Luck!