Expert Advice: Thinking of buying laser or IPL equipment for your salon or spa?

We ask REBECCA TRESTON, founder and manager of Rebecca Treston Aesthetics at Euromed Clinic Center Dubai, for expert advice for those considering purchasing laser or IPL equipment

Why are laser and IPL so popular?
Lasers and IPL are so popular, simply because they work. Lasers are able to restore the skin back to its natural, youthful complexion and there are very specific treatments for specific indications. So for instance if you
have sun damage or scars, you need to resurface the skin with a wavelength that can treat this problem, providing great results. IPL is not a laser, it is Intense Pulsed Light.
It is great for skin types 1 – 4 (any skin type darker, it is not advisable to use as it would probably burn the skin) and can be used to treat sun damage.

Which do you prefer for hair removal: Lasers or IPL?
I much prefer lasers for hair removal as it is more specific, you can play with the parameters more so you can treat the target better. Lasers are more expensive to run, however, which is why many clinics only offer IPL hair removal.

Would you use lasers or IPL to remove skin imperfections such as milia or skin tags?
I would not use a QSwitch laser to remove milia I would use a needle. For comedones, however, a Q Switch laser works well to remove sebaceous secretions and also helps to eliminate blackheads from the skin by regulating it
and cleaning out the skin. For skin tags, that are knobly, I would not use the QSwitch laser, I would only use that for pigmented spots.

What advice do you have for someone considering investing in a laser for their clinic?
To get a return on investment, as they are very expensive, it is vital to do your research. Speak to other doctors and skincare specialists to see what machines they use – a reputable company will always give you a point of contact so you can see the machine in action. Visit a clinic that has the machine currently and ask the specialist’s opinion.

Try before you buy. If you are a serious buyer, manufacturers will often let you keep the machine in the clinic for a trial period to see if it is actually what you are looking for.

Make sure the company is reputable and that there is a good after-sales package so that there is high-quality training, updated training and upgraded machines available to you. I would never buy a machine from a company that does not have a base in the UAE as there are strict regulations in the UAE about servicing and upkeep for machines so routine maintenance from the manufacturer must be readily available to you also.

Ensure the laser is a good machine to work with, that it does what it says and that it is durable. The best laser to invest in depends on what you are looking for, what you want to treat, what your demographic is. So there is not one machine that suits every clinic. That said, there are reputable laser companies to check out such as Cynosure, Syneron Candela, Lumenis and Quanta and it is always worth seeing what they have on offer. There is a lot of thought that should go into the process of buying a laser, prior to making that financial commitment.