Test Patch – What To Look For
Test patches are carried out to determine the treatment parameters and to judge how your skin might react to a full treatment. A test patch is a small trial in an area with similar hair and skin to the treatment site and allows the practitioner to assess how well the light energy is being absorbed and whether the skin is responding as would be expected.

Following the test patch, please make a note of any redness or swelling that occurs, along with how long it takes to subside. Also please let us know if the skin blisters or feels excessively hot for an extended period of time after treatment.

Pre-Treatment Advice
1)     The area to be treated should be free from make-up, perfume, deodorant and body or face creams. Be careful when using spray deodorant prior to treatment.
2)     There should be no active tan or fake tan including gradual tanners in the area to be treated. Use of sunbeds or prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning injections are not allowed for at least a month prior to treatment and a minimum of SPF 30 must be used on the area between treatments. Suntans must be left to fade completely before treatment can start. Fake tans must also be fully faded before treatment can commence (usually 1 -2 weeks after application).
3) We reserve the right to charge for any appointment booked but abandoned, cancelled, or changed due to active sun-tan or fake tan, or if you have a holiday planned in the sun and the area treated will be exposed to sun, unless we are given 48 hours notice.
4) A medical history is taken at the consultation, but we rely on you to inform us of any changes to this. We need to know of any medication you are taking including those bought from a chemist or herbalist.
5) Make sure that you arrive in good time for your appointment; this will allow us to pre-cool the skin if this should be required.
6)  Avoid waxing, plucking, hair removal creams and bleaching for one month prior to hair removal treatments. Hair should be shaved prior to treatment and be no longer than 1mm in length.

Homecare Advice
1) In order to minimise skin heating and to reduce the likelihood of skin reactions, the treatment area may be cooled before, during and after the procedure. If the area still feels hot at home you can apply a cold flannel or cool pack. Do not allow ice packs or ice into direct contact with the skin.
2) Following treatment, the area may appear red and raised and you may experience a tingling sensation. This is completely normal and should settle over the next few days.
3) Occasionally you may experience swelling or bruising and this can last anything from 1-2 days up to 1-2 weeks. If you experience swelling, it is usually worse one to two days following treatment. If it follows a treatment to a facial area, sleeping with your head raised on pillows will minimise its appearance. Ice packs will also help to reduce the swelling. If your skin is particularly sensitive and prone to histamine reactions, you may also wish to consider taking an anti-histamine medication.
4) Make-up can be applied after several hours if the skin is not sore or broken. However, we advise caution if the area is feeling sensitive. Remove makeup carefully as rubbing the skin can cause irritation or infection. If the skin at the treatment area becomes broken, then make-up should be avoided.
5) Care should be taken to avoid trauma to the treated area for 4 or 5 days afterwards. Avoid strenuous activities, sauna and steam, excessively hot baths, massaging etc.
6) Wash and bathe as normal but take cool showers rather than hot baths. The skin should be patted dry and not rubbed. Use an aloe vera gel or aftersun cream to keep the area moisturised and the skin protected. If there is any discomfort, treat the area as you would sunburn.
7) Use a sunscreen (SPF 30+) and protect the area from sunlight as much as possible between treatments and for at least one month after treatment ends. Failure to do this can lead to sunburn and hyper-pigmentation of the treated area. (Most cases of changes in pigmentation occur when the treated area has been exposed to sunlight or in people with darker skin types).
8) If blistering occurs contact the clinic immediately for further advice. Keep the area clean and dry and allow them to heal naturally.  Do not use any lotions or creams on open skin as this may increase the risk of infection. DO NOT pick grazes or blisters – as this may increase the chance of a scar occurring. Once the skin has healed, a high protection sunscreen should be used daily for 12 months to prevent pigmentation changes to the skin.

Courses Information
1)     Prepaid courses are non-transferable and are non-refundable.
2)     Prepaid value can not be exchanged for a different body part or treatment.
3)     Prepaid courses can not be split or shared.
4)     Remaining treatments are only refundable for medical reasons. Any refund agreed is calculated by deducting the full list price of all treatments already taken, plus any charged for non-attendance, from the total price of the course of treatment. Free treatments given as part of a course have no refund value.
5)     More than 48hrs cancellation notice must be given otherwise you will be charged 30% of the value of the treatment.
6)     If you do not attend an appointment or you attend with a contraindication e.g an active tan or fake tan on the treatment area and can not be treated you will be charged 50% of the value of your treatment or loose a treatment in your course.
7)     In the event of short term side effects such as reddening, bruising, swelling, mild burning or blistering, hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, as well as rare side, affects such as scarring and permanent discolouration we do not offer a refund or transfer of payment.
8)     During the course and for 4 weeks after it is your responsibility to stay out of the sun and to avoid any tan on the treated area.
9)     If you have not had a treatment for more than 6 months you will need another test patch. For which you will be charged £25.

What to do if you are concerned?

If you have any concerns or queries regarding the treated area, please phone the clinic for advice on 01606 841255 or if we are not open and you require more urgent advice phone 07858 118117