InMode Lumecca IPL

Aesthetic Medicine editor Anna Dobbie visited Vie Aesthetics Clinic on Harley Street to treat a patch of forehead pigmentation

THE LOWDOWN

InMode’s Lumecca intense pulsed light (IPL) device can deliver up to three times more energy in the 500-600nm range than was previously achievable, to reduce the appearance of vascular and pigmented lesions for a rejuvenated appearance. The device’s high peak power and optimised output allows clinicians to treat lesions with fewer sessions. The handset has a large spot size and its high pulse repetition rate means that treatment time is further reduced, and the strong sapphire cooling tip makes the process more comfortable for the patient.

THE EXPERIENCE

At my first appointment at Vie Aesthetics Clinic on Harley Street, my practitioner Sofia thoroughly explained the treatment and checked that my skin was between Fitzpatrick I and IV (relatively fair), the range recommended for IPL patients. After assessing the area of pigmentation that was causing me concern, she balanced my expectations of how much a single session would achieve, explaining that a standalone treatment would pull pigment closer to the surface, resulting in the area potentially appearing darker. She recommended a minimum course of three treatments to see an improvement and did a small patch test to check that my skin didn’t have an adverse reaction to the device.

When I returned for the first treatment of my course, Sofia checked that nothing had changed since my initial consultation and then asked me to lay down and put on a pair of laser light protection safety goggles, before applying a cooling ultrasonic gel to the area of my forehead to be treated. As the device was applied to the area, there was a bright red flash and a pain, similar to an elastic band being flicked against the skin. I noticed that the pain was sharper during my second treatment, which I believe was due to the time of the month (I was about to start my period, so had a heightened sensitivity to pain). After the treatment, Sofia removed the gel and applied SPF, advising me to keep the area moisturised and avoid direct sunlight. The entire treatment took around fifteen minutes for each appointment, and, aside from slight redness, I looked fine afterwards, making it a very practical “lunch break” treatment.

Shortly after the treatment, I received an email with full aftercare instructions to ensure I achieved the best possible results. For the following 48 hours, the area seemed slightly darker but then started to fade. Although some people report that pigmented legions flake off, this did not happen in my case. After two weeks, I could see a clear difference in the pigmentation in the treated area and I felt less self-conscious.

THE VERDICT

While I still have a slightly darker patch on my forehead, there is a definite reduction in the pigmentation in the treated area. However, to obtain the best results, I will have to return for a few more sessions. I felt completely at ease with Sofia and Vie Aesthetics’ Harley Street branch: it began to feel like my ‘local’, as I returned each month for my course of treatments.

BUSINESS BENEFITS

With InMode’s Lumecca IPL, fewer treatments are necessary to achieve results and the high pulse repetition rate allows a larger area to be treated each time, reducing treatment time per session. The device tip is made of sapphire for a cooling sensation, saving on topical numbing.