Laser, IPL and High-Tech Treatments Archives

Laser and IPL Hair Removal

Cheshire Lasers provides IPL hair removal at our clinic in Middlewich, Cheshire. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair and heats the root, so that regrowth becomes slower, finer and patchier with each treatment.

Most people come to us for the underarms, bikini area, legs, face or neck, and we treat a good number of men for backs and chests.

We use the Lumina AQS, made by Lynton Lasers, a few miles down the road in Holmes Chapel. There are gentler systems on the market, but we use IPL because our Lynton machine gives better results. Your treatments are carried out by our NVQ Level 4 laser technician.

Which areas can we treat?

We treat most areas of the face and body.

Face and neck: upper lip, chin, sideburns, jaw, earlobes, between the eyebrows and the neck, either as single areas or as a full face.

Body: underarms, upper or lower arms, bikini area, upper or lower legs, navel, chest, and the back and shoulders.

The bikini area can be treated as a bikini line, an extended bikini line or a Brazilian, on its own or combined with the underarms.

Areas can be combined in one appointment, and how long the treatment takes depends on how much is being covered.

How much is IPL hair removal?

Every course starts with a consultation and patch test, which is £30 and must be at least seven days before your first treatment.

Facial treatments are priced by the size of the area rather than by name — one small area, two small areas, a medium area, a large area, or a combination. These start at £49. Body areas start at £65 for the underarms.

Do you offer a discount for a course of treatments?

We offer a discount when you book a course of three treatments — see our current special offers. We do not sell larger packages. Most people do not need that many treatments in one block, and any that are not used are wasted.

Maintenance treatments after nine sessions

Once you have completed more than nine treatments on an area with us, you are welcome to come back for half-price maintenance treatments at any time, as long as you have had a treatment or a patch test with us within the last six months. A patch test on its own is £25.

View all our IPL and laser hair removal prices here.

Book a consultation and patch test

What IPL hair removal can achieve

These before and after photographs were supplied by Lynton, the manufacturer of our IPL system, and were taken at other clinics.

What to expect during a consultation

Prior to any treatment, our laser technicians will provide a full consultation. The consultation identifies your expectations and provides a complete explanation of the treatment. Our Laser technicians take a full medical history to confirm your suitability for treatment. If you wish to go ahead with treatment, they will discuss everything on our consent form so you understand everything before signing it. They will then perform a patch test to confirm there are no adverse skin reactions to the light.

How do Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Lasers work?

Laser and Intense Pulsed Light systems release short bursts of light energy, which the melanin pigment in the hair absorbs. The highest concentration of melanin is in the bulb at the root of the hair, so that is where most of the heat is produced. The heat damages the follicle and reduces its ability to grow another hair.

How is Laser treatment carried out?

At Cheshire Lasers, we use Intense Pulsed Light for Hair Removal. You will be asked to put on goggles to protect your eyes. A layer of chilled gel is applied to the area to guide the light into the skin. The light guide is placed on the skin and a short pulse of light is released, targeting many follicles simultaneously. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area of skin and the process is repeated until the entire area is treated. The chilled gel is removed and the area is cooled.

Aftercare Sun avoidance is essential. We recommend daily use of a high factor, broad-spectrum sunblock.

Am I suitable for Laser Hair Removal?

The ideal patient is fair-skinned with dark hair, but results can also be achieved for fairer hair and darker skin types. The darker the hair, the more easily it is treated; as darker hair contains more melanin, it will heat up more easily. Fairer hair contains less melanin and is harder to treat.

Grey and white hair has no melanin, so IPL cannot treat it. Electrolysis works on hair of any colour — read about electrolysis at Cheshire Lasers for what is involved and current availability.

How does the Laser / IPL treatment feel?

No anaesthesia is required and most patients describe the discomfort as moderate and acceptable. Sensations vary, but most describe it as a very short hot pinprick that occurs very quickly when the Intense Pulsed Light is emitted, making it the preferred choice for Hair Removal.

As the hair reduces with subsequent treatments the discomfort often reduces.

What will I see after the treatment?

The hair follicles are damaged by heat but the hairs remain in the follicles. The hairs fall out after 1 – 3 weeks as the epidermis renews. During this period the hairs will seem to ‘grow’ as they are pushed out by the new epidermis.

Is Laser Hair Removal safe?

The skin can become quite red immediately after treatment, however, most patients experience no side effects and any skin reaction usually disappears within a few hours. Very rarely the skin may become lighter or darker, or small blisters may form.

How many treatments are necessary?

Only hair that is actively growing is affected therefore multiple treatments are needed. Treatment is conducted every 4 – 8 weeks, depending on the site treated, until a satisfactory result is seen. The number of treatments required varies, but most people need a course of 6 to 9 treatments for the best result. Maintenance treatments are usually needed from time to time afterwards to keep the area clear.

How long does each Laser /IPL hair removal treatment take?

Treatments can take from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the area being treated.

See Lynton’s information sheet on laser hair removal, with more before and after pictures.

View our Pre and Post IPL and Laser Treatment information here.

Port-Wine Stain Removal

Port-Wine stains are red or purple marks, often on the face. They are caused by a localised area of abnormal blood vessels.

Treatment of port-wine stains with lasers can give good or excellent results. At Cheshire Lasers we find 4 to 10 treatments are needed to achieve results. The number of treatments required depends on the size, the colour and the response of the birth mark to the treatment. Camouflage creams such as lycogel are also an alternative treatment.

Here is an example of a Port-Wine Stain Reduction treatment performed at Cheshire Lasers Clinic.

Treatment works best the younger you are, at Cheshire Lasers most of the clients we have treated so far have been in their 30s and 40s and we have still had good to excellent results. Treatments tend to work less well in adults who have had a port-wine stain for many years and it has become bumpy and raised.

Treatment tends to work best on smaller port-wine stains of the face and less well on the arms and legs. Generally, the paler the port-wine stain, the greater the chance of excellent results with less treatments.

The laser or IPL treatment can cause an unpleasant stinging. Treatments are given about 4 to 6 weeks apart. There may be pain, bruising and swelling over the treated area for a while after each session.

What is a Port-Wine Stain?

A port-wine stain is a red or purple mark on the skin. It is usually present from birth. About 3 in 1000 babies are born with a port-wine stain. Most occur on the face but any area of the skin can be affected. Port-wine stains affect males and females equally. They are not hereditary.

What do Port-Wine Stains look like?

Port-wine stains vary in size from a few millimetres across to many centimetres. Their colour can vary from pale red to deep purple. If left untreated, port-wine stains tend to darken over the years as the blood flow through them becomes more sluggish. The overlying skin is smooth and flat at first. By middle age the overlying skin can become thickened and lumpy (a ‘cobblestone’ appearance).

What causes Port-Wine Stains?

A port-wine stain is a localised blood vessel problem. The tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in port-wine stains remain dilated (wide). It is like a permanent localised blush. The reason why this occurs is thought to be due to a damaged or faulty nerve supply to the affected tiny blood vessels. The nerve impulses that make the blood vessels narrower are lost so they then stay wide all the time.

What are the symptoms of Port-Wine Stains?

Apart from their appearance, no other symptoms or problems occur in most cases. However, about 1 in 10 babies born with a port-wine stain on the face have problems of the eye or brain. * Eye problems may develop if the port-wine stain is on the eyelid area. If a child has a port-wine stain next to an eye then an eye specialist will normally check the child regularly until they are adult. * Brain abnormalities are an uncommon association with port-wine stains of the face. This is due to extensive blood vessel abnormalities in the brain, (The Sturge-Weber syndrome), Epilepsy and other problems may then develop. The majority of children with port-wine stains do not have these complications.

View our Prices for Laser Port Wine Stain Treatment here

Endymed Facial Tightening

At Cheshire Lasers Endymed treatments are performed by our aestheticians.

The Endymed 3DEEP Facial Tightening system can treat the eyes, face, jowls and neck areas with a three dimensional tightening and contouring treatment that provides deep, volumetric dermal heating using radiofrequency technology.

The Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening is a safe, FDA aproved, clinically proven system for treatment of facial wrinkles and skin tightening. Virtually pain-free, the Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening treatment is ideal for smoothing wrinkles, tightening and firming the skin and lifting facial and neck areas. It also has a dedicated iFine handpiece for the delicate, hard to reach skin around the eyes.

After a course of treatments you can enjoy tighter, younger looking skin with improved skin tone, texture and elasticity.

Is the treatment effective?

Yes – Endymed unique 3DEEP technology uses a unique form of Radio Frequency (RF) which is different to other RF machines. State of the art medical device engineering has enabled multiple sources of electromagnetic energy to work simultaneously and in synergy in the skin delivering a controlled, focused and deep heating that results in predictable and excellent clinical skin tightening results. Importantly Endymed 3DEEP RF delivers these clinical results without pain or down-time and with an excellent safety profile for all skin tones and colours.

View our suppliers before and after images.

How does Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening Work?

A form of energy called RF is applied to the skin to gently heat the skin, promoting accelerated collagen production and contraction of collagen fibres to restructure and tighten the skin. Endymed 3DEEP provides a focused and deep heating of the skin without pain. The 3DEEP unique and patented technology has multiple electrodes, multiple RF sources and a sophisticated phase control which works to drive the RF energy deep into the target tissue in the skin, comfortably and safely.

What happens during an Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening Treatment?

Our aesthetician will cleanse your face and apply a thin layer of gel. An applicator that delivers the RF current is moved in circular motions over the skin and the skin will heat up. Our aesthetician will treat each area until the desired temperature is reached and it is maintained for 2 to 3 minutes. Typically each treatment session lasts 30 to 45 minutes.

View a video of an Endymed DEEP treatment in our Clinic:

Am I suitable for Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening?

Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening is suitable for most individuals.

However, if you are pregnant or breast feeding, treatment is not advisable. If you have metal work in the facial area, please discuss this with us further. Simple filings and dental implants are usualy not a problem but metal work inserted following facial fractures and metal braces can be a problem.

What should I expect after treatment?

Your skin may be pink for a short time after treatment but this will subside quickly. You will not need any special after care. However we will still recommend SPF to block shows harmful UV rays.

Immediately after treatment, the contraction of collagen fibres improves skin elasticity and the skin may appear firmer. However, the benefits are progressive and you will not see the full results until 2 to 3 months after a series of treatments.

How many treatments do I need?

For best results you will need a course of 6 to 8 treatments every 10 to 14 days.

How does the treatment feel?

The Endymed treatment is not painful – most people actually comment on how pleasurable and relaxing the heating sensation is! Treatment is comfortable due to the unique, technology of Endymed DEEP Facial Tightening.

What our clients say

“Lovely relaxing Endymed treatment with Anna. Another enjoyable visit”
— Liza W

Cheshire Lasers is rated 5.0 from over 1,500 client reviews on Fresha. Read them all here.

Are there any side effects from Endymed Treatments?

Side effects are extremely rare.
Slight, short-term discomfort can occur; this is usually easily tolerated. Oedema (swelling) and erythema (redness) can occur, but will disappear within a few hours.

Consultation Procedure Prior to Treatment

On arrival at Cheshire Lasers, you will also be asked to complete a medical history form. Our aesthetician will assess you and confirm your suitability for treatment. She will then go over our consent form for you to complete, if you decide to have a treatment.

Here is a video about Endymed 3DEEP Facial Tightening

One of our aestheticians performing an Endymed treatment.

Check out our Endymed prices here.

Laser / IPL Patient Information

Why do I need a patch test before my laser or IPL treatment?

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.

Clients are asked to make a note of any redness or swelling and how long it takes to reduce following the test patch, also whether or not the skin blisters or feels excessively hot and for how long.

I have had laser or IPL before, so why do I need a patch test?

Every machine is different we need to test your response to our Lynton AQS Laser / IPL Machine.

Even if you have had a treatment before on the same machine some where else and even if you can tell us the exact settings used, we still need to test patch again. This is in case the machines are calibrated at a different intensity.

Not had a treatment with us for over six months?

If you have not had a treatment with us for over six months we are required to repeat the test patch. A repeat patch test costs £25. This is a requirement with our insurance in case your skin has changed and is not negotiable.

Before your laser or IPL treatment

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.
There should be no active or fake tan in the area to be treated.
Use of sunbeds or prolonged exposure to sunlight is not allowed for at least a month prior to treatment and an SPF 30 or more 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.
We reserve the right to charge for any appointment booked but abandoned due to active sun-tan or fake tan.
A medical history is taken at 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.
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.

After your laser or IPL treatment

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.
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.
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.
Following treatments on the cheeks please note that it is very likely the area and the area around your eye (both above and below the eyes) may swell, particularly overnight as the body goes through the normal healing process. There may not be swelling after the patch test, however, as the treatment area is usually larger this may well happen after treatments. It is usually a good sign of the treatment working but can be rather alarming if you are not prepared.
What helps with swelling and bruising: after a treatment to a facial area, sleeping with your head raised on pillows will minimise its appearance. Cool packs will 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.

Laser and IPL aftercare

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 make up 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.
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.
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 after sun cream to keep the area moisturised and the skin protected. If there is any discomfort, treat the area as you would sunburn.
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).
If blistering occurs keep the area clean and dry and allow 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. Please contact the clinic as soon as possible for further advice and so that we can check it and advise if necessary.

If you plan to purchase a course of treatment view our Laser and IPL course terms and conditions here.

Please be aware we have a 48 hour cancellation policy.

IPL Skin Rejuvenation

At Cheshire Lasers, we have a wide range of treatments for skin rejuvenation.
Cheshire Lasers uses the Intense Pulsed Light ( IPL) system for skin rejuvenation when there are brown spots (pigmentation) or redness caused by thread veins.

Pulsed light quickly removes brown and thread veins and stimulates the production of new collagen.

At Cheshire Lasers, we use a Lynton AQS System made by Lynton Lasers a local company from Holmes Chapel with a fantastic reputation.

IPL Skin Rejuvenation Consultation Procedure

Prior to any treatment our Level 4 Laser Technician will provide a full consultation. The consultation identifies your expectations and provides a complete explanation of the treatment. A medical history is taken to confirm suitability for treatment. If you wish to proceed, written informed consent is obtained, and a test patch is performed to confirm there are no adverse skin reactions to the light.

How does Intense Pulsed Light work?

Intense pulsed light systems release precisely controlled short pulses of filtered light that stimulate the fibroblast cells within the skin that produce collagen and elastin. This improves the radiancy and tightness of the skin, controlling enlarged pores, and giving a more uniform complexion.

What does an IPL Skin Rejuvenation Treatment involve?

After cleaning the skin a mild, we will apply a gentle skin peel to remove the top layers of dead skin.

To protect your eyes, you will need to wear goggles.
We will apply a layer of cool gel to the treatment area to guide the light into the skin.
The light applicator is placed onto the skin, and a quick light pulse is released. The applicator is then moved to the neighbouring area, which is repeated until the entire area is treated. The chilled gel is removed, and the area is cooled.

Am I suitable for treatment?

This treatment is only suitable for lighter skin tones.

At the bottom of this page, we list other skin rejuvenation treatments which we can discuss if you have a darker skin tone.

We can not recommend treatment if you have the following conditions:

pregnant or breastfeeding
infections on the skin
broken, angry inflamed skin
light-sensitive medication or medical conditions
medications that make skin delicate and sensitive to injury
recent sun exposure or planned sun exposure up to 4 weeks after treatment
keloid scarring

How Does the treatment feel?

You will not need anaesthesia for this treatment. Most patients describe the discomfort as moderate and acceptable and liken it to a quick pinprick.

Is IPL Skin Rejuvenation safe?

The skin of some patients becomes quite red after treatment. Very rarely the skin may become lighter or darker, or small blisters may form. However, most patients experience little or no side effects and any skin reaction usually disappears within a few hours.

What should I expect after the treatment?

Redness and a slight warming sensation are normal after treatment. We will cool the skin to ease these symptoms. You may see a darkening of any pigmented spots before they flake off, leading to an evening of skin tone. Skin tightening should increase over the following months as new collagen is regenerates within the dermis. Some patients notice a slight swelling over the cheekbones, which may last for up to 72 hours.

How many treatments are necessary?

Treatments should be every four weeks; you may need up to 6 treatments for maximum results.
After this, we recommend top-up sessions to maintain the results.

How long does each treatment take?

A facial treatment usually takes about 30 – 45 minutes.

Alternative Skin Rejuvenation Treatments

At Cheshire Lasers, we offer a range of treatments for skin Rejuvenation. IPL Treatment is the treatment of choice if you have vessels or patches of pigmentation you want to target.

Other excellent skin rejuvenation options include:

This page lists the wide range of skin rejuvenation treatments on offer.

View Cheshire Lasers IPL Skin Rejuvenation leaflet with images.

View further pre and post-treatment information if you are considering booking this treatment here.