Frequently Asked Questions
What Is IPL?
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a modern type of laser hair removal used for permanent/long-term hair removal.
IPL Laser works using an intense flash-lamp, sending out scattered wavelengths of light, making IPL very targeted to hair with pigmentation (dark).
Hair has to be living for IPL laser to work. Meaning hair needs to be attached to the bulb of the growing cells – when you pull out a hair using tweezers, and it has that little jelly bulb around it, it’s one of the 20-30% of living hair on the body.
Having weekly or bi-weekly (for 12 consecutive weeks) IPL laser treatments are the most effective way of reducing unwanted hair permanently.
How Does It Work?
Getting you started using the device
Prepare the hair and skin
Hair:
- Shave the area where using the device.
- When you can feel and see the hair stubble, this is when to use the device.
- Hair should not be more than 5mm (half a centimetre) in length.
- Do NOT epilate, wax or use depilatory creams.
Skin:
- Skin needs to be clean & dry.
- No moisturiser, no fake tan, no deodorant, no perfume, no body oils
Let us get started using the device:
- Turn the device on by pressing the white power button for 3/4 seconds.
- Choose between Automatic & Manual settings. The change between these settings, hold down the black button below the display screen. We recommend the Automatic setting. The device will flash every 3/4 seconds.
- Choose the intensity setting. 1 is the lowest, 8 is the highest. To move between intensity settings, press the white power button quickly. We recommend starting on setting 2/3. Then move increase or decrease as desired.
- Put on the safety glasses provided.
- Press the output window firmly against the skin.
- Move the device 1cm by 1cm in the area are treated.
- Expect to feel a warm sensation.
- It does not matter to go over the same area twice.
- If experiencing pain, stop using the device or reduce the intensity setting.
Post-treatment:
- No hot showers/baths for the next 3 days
- Use non-scented moisturiser
- Do not go into direct sunlight for extended periods.
- Do not lay in the sun or use sun-beds.
- Do not shave within 48 hours.
Common reactions:
The skin may show slight redness and/or prickle, tingle or feel warm post-treatment. This reaction is normal and will subside. You can cool the area with an ice pack, a cold, wet cloth, or cool running water.
Is It Safe?
There have been extensive worldwide studies that demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of IPL for hair removal.
Due to this fact, it has become an extremely popular safe and effective method of hair removal at home and in clinics.
Bondi Laser @ Home meets all small appliance CE regulations.
Does It Hurt?
Our customer feed back is Bondi Laser does not hurt.
Around the upper lip and the intimate areas you will feel a little ‘bitey’ sensation as these specific areas have more nerve endings.
Do I Need Eye Protection?
Yes but don’t worry we’ve got you covered. Every box includes a stylish pair of protective glasses.
How Often Do I Use It?
Face, neck and intimate area’s such as the bikini line / Brazlian / Hollywood once a week for 12 weeks.
Legs, arms, underarms, stomach, chest, and back once / twice a week for 12 weeks.
The hair needs to be between 1-5mm (less than half a centimetre). If your is in this required length you can use the device straight away. If your hair is longer than 5mm – you will need to shave first.
After 12 weeks use the handset once a month or as needs be.
Always wear protective glasses when using the device.
Ladies – do NOT use the device around the eyes.
Men – do NOT use the device around the eyes, and we don’t recommend you use the device on the face as this can be problematic in years to come.
Will This Work On Sensitive Skin?
Bondi Laser is perfect for the most sensitive of skin types. With 8 different intensity settings, you can adjust the light strength to suit you.
Bondi Laser is used by many women who suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Does It Work On All Hair And Skin Types ?
IPL laser (a home device or in a clinic treatment) will NOT work on blonde, red, or grey hair.
IPL laser (a home device or in a clinic treatment) will NOT work on black or mixed-race skin tones.
Refer to the WILL BONDI LASER WORK FOR ME Hair and Skin Tone found HERE to see whether or not IPL LASER is suitable for you.
Is This Device Suitable For Men?
Definitely! Bondi Laser handsets are suitable for both men and women 16 years and older.
Do NOT use the device around the eyes. We don’t recommend you use the device on the face as this can be problematic in years to come. Always wear the protective glasses provided when using the device.
Can I Use IPL When Pregnant Or Brestfeeding?
Although there is no evidence showing that IPL has negative effects on pregnant or breastfeeding women, we still don’t recommend using our Bondi Laser IPL handset as a precaution.
Can I Use IPL Over Freckles Or Moles?
Bondi Laser is safe to use over freckles and non raised moles. Always speak to your Doctor if you notice a new mole or change to an existing mole, a mole with irregular shape, a mole with more than 1 colour.
Can I Use IPL Over Tattoos?
You should not use IPL over tattoos. The light energy will be more attracted to the pigments in the skin, rather than the melanin in the hair which can cause a reaction in the skin and blistering. You should always go around your tattoos.
Can I Use This Product Before Or After Tanning?
If you have recently been sun tanning, we recommend waiting 2 weeks before using your handset. You should wait 48 hours to tan after using your handset.
The same applies for sun beds. We advise removing all artificial tan before using our handsets, as the light energy may be more attracted to the pigments in the skin, rather than the melanin in the hair. You can reapply the tan after your session once the skin has relaxed.
Is It Normal For There To Be A Slight Burning Smell?
Yes, this is completely normal. As the light energy is heating the hair, you may smell a slight burning but this just means there may be some hairs that have not been shaved.
Please ensure that you have prepped the skin correctly, and that the skin is completely shaved before starting your session.
Do I Need To Shave Before Using Bondi Laser?
You can use the device before you shave or after you shave. The key is making sure the hair in the area you are treating is between 1-5mm (less than half a centimetre) in length.
If your is in this required length you can use the device straight away. The hair follicle does need to be in tact for IPL to be effective. This means NO waxing, plucking, threading, epilating etc.
When Should I Expect To See Results?
Results vary from person to person. You should start seeing the reduction of hair after 4 treatments.
What If I Am NOT Seeing Results?
- Use the Automatic option.
- Increase the intensity
- setting.Make sure the device is pressed firmly to the skin.
- Move the device slowly along the area 1cm * 1cm.
- Make sure the device stays in contact with the skin.
- Check the hair is between 1 – 5 mm in length. Results vary from person to person.
Can I Use Bondi Laser On My Face?
Women – Yes you can use the device on the face (upper lip, cheeks, side burns, jawline, neck and chin.)
Always wear protective glasses when using the device.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU DO NOT USE THE DEVICE AROUND THE EYES.
Always wear the protective glasses provided when using the device.
Men – do NOT use the device around the eyes.
We don’t recommend you use the device on the face as this can be problematic in years to come.
Always wear the protective glasses provided when using the device.
YOU CANNOT USE IPL / LASER IF YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
- You are pregnant or breast feeding
- You have any active implants
- You are under the age of 16
- You are taking the following medications:
- Your skin is currently being treated or has recently been treated in the past 30 days:
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHAs), Topical Isotretinoin , Azelaic Acid. - Immunosuppressive medications (Roaccutane) in the past 90 days.
- Surgery in the past 90 days to the area to be treated.
- Radiation / Chemotherapy with in the past 12 months.
- If you have been diagnosed with the following:
Diabetes / Metabolic diseases / Epilepsy / Vitiligo - Congestive heart disease, immunosuppressive disease or suffer from vascular, bleeding disorders.
- Skin cancer, or a history of skin cancer or any other localised cancer in the areas to be treated.
- Your skin suffers from or have been exposed to:
- Skin Infections, eczema, burns, inflammation of the hair follicles, lacerations, abrasions, herpes simplex, lesions or hematomas in the areas to be treated.
- Sunburnt, recently tanned or fake tanned skin, tattoos, permanent make up or warts, dark veins, scars & skin anomalies.
Can I Use IPL If I Have Psoriasis?
This really depends on the severity of your psoriasis. For mild forms of this condition, it is safe to use IPL laser therapy, providing the skin in your treatment area is healthy.
When performing IPL, you are using high levels of heat on the skin. IPL use a combination of light and heat to target and disable hair follicles.
Because of this, we need the skin in the surrounding areas to be strong enough to tolerate this heat. If your skin is weakened, this heat may cause an adverse reaction.
Providing you are not taking any oral medication to control this condition. If you use topical steroid creams, you will need to wait 4 weeks after you have stopped using these before using IPL.
If you suffer from flare-ups in certain areas, then we recommend that you consult with your dermatologist before using IPL or laser.
Usage Directions (Female /Male)
Female:
Suitable for the entire body except around the eyes
Male:
Suitable for the entire body except the face and male intimate area
*external use only