8 questions to ask before buying or leasing an IPL or Laser
Before you make your next decision on an IPL or laser system have in mind the questions below:
- Firstly you will need to think about what treatments you want to offer in your clinic. If you want to focus on hair removal you have options of either IPL or Laser. What is the difference? IPL offers a poly-chromatic wavelengths –meaning they may have multiple wavelengths that will reach different depths into the skin, but also have different melanin absorption abilities. Due to this factor there are some darker skins which may not be able to be treated with IPL. Often with IPL systems you get multiple wavelengths or multiple applicators so you can offer skin treatments as well as hair removal. But your client may determine which treatment they can have, according to their skin colour. An IPL system may be a bit cheaper than a laser, but for hair removal the cost per shot in the IPL applicator is a lot greater than laser. Lasers traditionally offer a one treatment solution; ie just hair removal as in the 808nm diode lasers. Even so these are more cost effective per shot than IPL, especially if your main focus is hair removal. You may then be able to offer competitive treatment pricing as your treatment costs are not as expensive as they are using an IPL. Laser is safely able to treat darker skins and the wavelength of 808nm goes deeper than any IPL hence potentially more effective at targeting those deeper hairs seen on backs, brazilians and underarms. Lasers are so much faster at treating larger areas, with speeds of up to 10 Hz; full legs can be treated in under 30 minutes. All of these factors play a part in how you might price your treatments.
- Who is supplying your device? Are they experienced in actually performing treatments or are they just sales people? Are they able to advise you on particular treatment protocols and client conditions. .How long have they been in the industry, and what are their qualifications? Who is your support from day to day in New Zealand?
- What level of training are you offered with your IPL or Laser? Both of these devices have the ability to cause significant skin damage and eye damage which does not repair. Are you satisfied that the training offered will give you the confidence and ability to treat clients in a safe and effecacious manner?
- What are the maintenance and service demands of your system? Is the supplier responsible for any of this?
- What certification does the system provide you? Is your manufacturer and supplier looking after your interests or are they after your money? Have they received FDA approval and are the manufacturers themselves engineers. Do they have medical certification for their devices?
- How many shots do you get from each applicator and are they really guaranteed? You may find you get 60,000 shots on certain IPL applicators but the manufacturer only guarantees 30,000.
- What is the manufacturers guarantee on the system and the applicators?
- Are you able to experience the system prior to purchasing or leasing? It is wise to get a feeling for how user friendly the applicators and treatment screens are. You wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive, would you?
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