Frequently asked questions

Skin Peels

I have medical/skin concerns, am I suitable?

There are a number of skin and medical conditions which are contraindications or cautions to our treatments where you should check with us before booking, these include but are not limited to; Skin cancer, cancer in general (Dr note needed), use of roacutane ever, cystic acne, autoimmune diseases eg lupus/chrones, epilepsy, cautions include hormonal imbalances, heart conditions, birth marks, tattoos, antibiotics & St Johns Wort, steroids, retinols/acids, Please contact us to confirm.



I have acne, can you help?

Our treatments and home care can treat upto stage 3 acne, however stage 3 acne sufferers would need a note from their physician to say they are ok to have such treatment. We can reduce the severity and longevity of acne using homecare products, in-clinic professional treatments, and IPL photorejucenation. Any discontinuation of treatment may mean the acne returns, we recommended having your preferred treatment throughout the year to maintain your results.



Ive had skin cancer, can I be treated?

We are afraid not. As we are encouraging skincell replenishment we cannot risk causing any further cell mutation in an area prone to it.



How do I prepare for my facial or resurfacer?

Resurfacers only: You must have a patch test 2/3 days pior to your treatment and must have been using the advised at home ‘skin prep’ for 2-6 weeks prior to treatment (skin tone dependant) to ensure safe application with maximum results. Please do not wear makeup to your appointment. Before your treatment you must NOT: -Use acids eg:AHA’s/BHA’s/Glycolic/Retinol (resurfacers only). -Shave or wax the area for 4 days. -Expose the area to direct sun or sunbeds for 7 days, if unavoidable, spf 50 must be used & reapplies at all times. -Expose the area to steam eg hot bath or shower on the day of treatment -Strenuously exercise before treatment. -Have any exfoliating treatments 4 weeks prior eg microdermabrasion, peels or dermaplaning.



Do I need to do anything after my treatment?

After your treatment you must: - Keep the skin protected with a SPF30 (minimum) - Avoid swimming or exercising for 48 hours - Avoid hot baths or showers, exfoliating, scrubbing, picking or rubbing - Avoid sun exposure and/or sun beds for at least 7 days - Avoid the use of active skin care containing AHA, BHA or retinols for at least 7 days If you have had a resurfacer you may experiance some flaking or peeling of the skin. If so, you MUST NOT pick or rub the skin at all. Let the flakes come away naturally and they will reveal healthy, glowy skin. Picking or rubbing the skin can result in an infection.



IPL Rejuvenation

Does it hurt?

We scoured the country for the best, most pain-free machine which still maintained the best results. Using Crystal Cool technology, the point of contact remains extremely cold (treatment dependent) which helps to soothe the treatment area. The flash of light from IPL is often more startling than there being any pain felt. If the clinical end point is not being met, we may amend the settings which can be more startling but rarely causes any pain. Thread vein removal can be less "pain free" however it is extremely fast. This of course varies from person to person.



Are the results permanent?

This of course varies across the different skin concerns and between clients. Generally speaking, anything skin related where it is constantly affected by external factors, few treatments will be permanent after one treatment. For thread veins, if the clinical end point has been met during treatment (your specialist will know if it has been achieved), the removal is often permanent. This doesn't mean new lesions can't develop over time. For acne we find the best results are when the client maintains fairly regular visits after their recommended course (between 4-12 weeks for best, long lasting results). Rosacea is similar to acne in that it can benefit from repeated treatments over a course of time. The redness may return to some degree, however can be re treated.



I have medical/skin concerns, am I suitable?

There are a number of skin and medical conditions which are contraindications or cautions to our treatments where you should check with us before booking if you are safe for treatment, these include but are not limited to; Being under 18yo, pregnant or breastfeeding, ever had Skin cancer, or cancer in general (Dr note needed), epilepsy, use of roacutane ever, cystic acne (treated area), autoimmune diseases eg lupus/chrones, metal plates or pins in the area, skin diseases, blood disorders, moles & tattoos in the area, hypo or hyperpigmentation, diabetes, birth marks, Also there are cautions if the client is using antibiotics/antifungals, St Johns Wort, steroids, retinols/acids, HRT, Please contact us to confirm your suitability.



How can I prepare for my treatment?

Before your treatment you MUST: -Book in a patch test 7 days prior to your appointment. -Checked you are medically suitable for this treatment either by reading the website or getting in touch. Before your treatment you must NOT: -Have any makeup or creams on the treated area on the day of treatment. -Expose the area to the sun/sun-bed or use fake tan for 4 weeks, any sun exposure must be protected with factor 50 and reapplied generously, we cannot treat tanned skin or you risk skin burns. -Deeply exfoliate the area eg peels, microdermabrasion, derma-planing etc for 4 weeks. -Wax or remove the hairs from the skin eg pluck/epilate for 4 weeks prior to treatment. -Expose the area to other light or laser based treatments/electrolysis for 6 weeks. -Use acids in the area for 5 days (AHA’s/BHA’s/Glycolic/Retinol). -Expose the area to hot steam/sauna etc on the day of treatment. -Exercise strenuously before treatment. -Use hormonal, steroidal or treatment creams on the area for 2 weeks. -Take antimicrobial/antibiotics/anti-fungal/antiviral etc treatment or St.Johns wort for 21 days prior.



I have dark/black skin, can I have IPL treatments?

We are afraid due to the way the technology delivers energy, the risk of skin burns is simply too high, we cannot treat anyone above fitzpatrick 3.



What happens after my treatment?

Depending on your treatment, the skin often will look "treated" immediately afterwards. It can feel warm, tingly, or nothing at all. For facial IPL treatments, depending on which treatment type you have had, you can expect none or any of the following responses which are not limited to: -Darkening/bruising in the area while body ingests the shattered legion (thread vein & rosacea treatments - arnica can be used to speed up recovery). -Darkening of pigmentation, leading to a thin scab which flakes off (pigmentation treatment). -Redness, swelling, flushed skin, and more uncommonly burns, blisters, other side effects not listed here. -Acne getting worse before it gets better as the skin clears (acne treatments). After your treatment you must NOT: -Apply makeup or creams to the area for 48 hours, if you happened to have broken skin or a burn then please do not apply anything to the area until this has healed. -Wax, pluck, or otherwise epilate any hairs in the area until healing is complete eg redness subsided or specs flaked away (pigmentation). -Exfoliate the area for 7 days (physical or chemical). -Do not scratch, rub, or pick the area. After your treatment you MUST: -Keep the skin clean and dry. -Avoid tight clothing that may irritate the treated area. Avoid bathing in very hot water, hot steam/saunas etc for 5 days. -Avoid contact sports that may irritate the area immediately after.



Laser hair removal

Is laser hair removal permanent removal of the hair?

Laser hair removal is the best and longest lasting type of hair removal, and is formally referred to as permanent hair reduction, as there will be permanently less hairs (given that your hairs are brown-black and the hairs are darker than your skin), however no clinic can guarantee you wont ever get any hairs grow back in the future so we cannot legally say it is permanent removal. We aim to leave you hairless in your treated area after your recommended course. Realistically you can expect the odd hair to come through over the following few years as long as your skin and hair are of the right combination. Alternatively, some clients report very fair fine hairs coming through which they find much better than whatever was there before.



How long does it last?

Each client is different and will get different results at different rates. Darker hair on paler skin responds the quickest. We suggest a one-time top up anywhere between 12-36 months after the end of your course to maintain your hair-free area as a few, often thin whispy hairs, may return over time. You can expect a permanent reduction in the amount of hair there. The hairs which grow back in the future varies across clients, some clients may find their hair grows back quicker than others, and some find no hairs grow back at all.



Does it hurt?

We scoured the country for the best, most pain-free machine which still maintained the best results. Using Crystal Cool technology, the point of contact remains extremely cold, the flashes of light happen so simultaneously, along with the cooling gel conducting the heat, it makes it very difficult to feel anything happening. Clients report a tingling sensation. This varies across clients, taking their hair and skin type into consideration, and towards the end of your course we may increase the energy for the best results, at this stage it can feel like some hairs are being plucked.



Do I need to shave or not?

Yes, please! For your treatment we ask that you shave the area 12-24h beforehand. If your hair grows especially fast, 12h is preferred. DO NOT WAX or epilate at all before or during your treatment for at least 4 weeks prior. Only shave between treatments.



I have medical/skin concerns, am I suitable?

There are a number of skin and medical conditions which are contraindications or cautions to our treatments where you should check with us before booking if you are safe for treatment, these include but are not limited to; Being under 18yo, pregnant or breastfeeding, ever had Skin cancer, or cancer in general (Dr note needed), epilepsy, use of roacutane ever, cystic acne (treated area), autoimmune diseases eg lupus/chrones, metal plates or pins in the area, skin diseases, blood disorders, moles & tattoos in the area, hypo or hyperpigmentation, diabetes, birth marks, Also there are cautions if the client is using antibiotics/antifungals, St Johns Wort, steroids, retinols/acids, HRT, Please contact us to confirm your suitability.



Can it remove blonde hairs?

Afraid not - there needs to be enough pigment in the hair for it to work. Blonde, grey, light brown, and red hair will not be picked up by the laser.



I have black skin can I have laser hair removal?

We can safely treat upto fitzpatrick 5 for laser hair removal as the laser picks up melanin, as melanin is present in the skin and in more concentrated amounts in black skin, this can cause intense heat or even burns to the skin if the laser is targeting the skin melanin instead of the hair melanin. This limit is less when using the IPL for any reason.



How can I prepare for my treatment?

Before your treatment you must HAVE: -Booked in a patch test either 15mins, or 45mins prior to your appointment, depending on your Skins Fitzpatrick scale. - Checked you are medically suitable for this treatment either by reading the website or getting in touch. - Shaved the area & any areas you wish to patch test 12-24h before treatment depending on how fast your hairs grow, we advise to take a picture of hair growth prior to shaving to keep track of progress. Before your treatment you must NOT: - Use acids in the area for 5 days (AHA’s/BHA’s/Glycolic/Retinol). - Have waxed or epillated for 4 weeks. - Expose the area to direct sun or sun-beds for 14 days prior, if sun is unavoidable, spf 50 must be used & reapplied at all times. No fake tan for 10 days prior. - Expose the area to steam eg hot bath or shower on the day of treatment - Strenuously exercise before treatment. - Have deeply exfoliated the area for 4 weeks eg skin peel or microdermabrasion - Have had electrolysis or similar for 8 weeks in the area. - Use hormonal, steroidal or treatment creams on the treated area for 2 weeks. -Take anti-microbial, antibiotics, anti-fungal, anti-viral or St. John’s Wort for 21 days.



What happens after my treatment?

Immediately after treatment the skin may tingle or feel warm or cold, this subsided quickly. The area usually feels normal or returns very quickly. After your treatment you must NOT: -Apply makeup to the area for 12 hours following treatment, if any blistering or surface damage then no makeup on the area until fully healed. -Use perfumed creams, chemicals etc for 48h. -Wax, pluck or epilate etc after or between treatments at all. You can shave between treatments if necessary. -Scratch, rub or pick the area. -Bathing in hot water, steam sauna etc for 5 days. -Play contact sports or activities that may irritate the area. -Wear tight clothing that may irritate the area. -Exposure the area to sun. -Use sun beds for at least 2 weeks. After your treatment you MUST: -Keep the area protected from the sun. Wear at least factor 30 on treated areas for at least a month following treatment. -You should keep the area clean. -Exfoliate the treatment area everyday with an exfoliating mitt (not a chemical exfoliator).



Fitzpatrick

What do you mean by Fitzpatrick Scale?

The Fitzpatrick Scale is the most widely accepted skin typing method used today. This rating system measures the amount of pigment in the skin and the tolerance to the sun.



Terms & Conditions

When booking an appointment at Bicester Glow Clinic you agree to our Terms & Conditions - Please read the following carefully.

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Cancellations

If you wish to book a consultation or a patch test, a £15 booking fee is required. This is then deducted from your treatment cost. Once you have attended your appointment on time and have arrived ready to have your patch test as per the requests in your confirmation email - should you have an adverse reaction to a patch test, your £15 patch test booking fee will be refunded. Rescheduling with less than 72 hours notice will lose the booking fee. Cancelling your appointment once booked will result in losing your booking fee.

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Cancelling or rescheduling your a patch test appointment without 3 days notice means a £50 booking fee will apply to re book.

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Making a booking when you are not able to have the treatment (unsuitable for any reason) and didn't check with us beforehand (under 18, pregnant, breastfeeding, some medical and/or skin conditions(past and current) or taking any medications) will mean that your booking fee either goes towards a treatment that you can have, or held until you are in a position to have the treatment, or would mean being forfeited. Clients are expected to do their research and check with us beforehand if they are any of the above, or aren't sure, before booking. 

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No booking fees are refunded under any circumstances.

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Rescheduling

Rescheduling less than 72h before your treatment will result in you losing your booking fee.

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If you find out you are pregnant before your appointment and 3 days notice isnt given to put the appointment on hold, the booking fee will be lost. Clients are asked to not begin a treatment if they are trying to get pregnant. Falling pregnant mid way through a treatment may mean your results are affected if a full course is not completed.

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If sufficient notice is given (72 hours) your full booking fee will roll over to the next available appointment.

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Booking fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.

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Lateness

Running late puts pressure on the daily schedule. Please notify us as soon as possible to see if we can still accommodate your appointment. If your appointment needs to be rescheduled due to your lateness it will be recognised as a no-show and the following applies:


If the time left is sufficient to go ahead then the treatment will go ahead however we cannot guarantee you will get the full time that would have originally been given to you and we will do what we can within the time. Full treatment price will be payable.

If insufficient time is left to do the treatment it would be classed as a no show and the booking fee would be lost.
 

It is not acceptable to show up late and ask for a reduction in price in proportion to the reduction in time.

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Additional Information

Cash or card payments only. 

 

Deciding last minute to add an additional service to your treatment is often not possible. Please give as much notice for this as possible as it requires more time to do more treatments. Discounts for multiple bookings are generous so please decide ahead.

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It is the clients responsibility to let us know of any change in contact details or in letting us know alternative ways to contact..

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If you act in a way that is abusive or untoward you will be asked to leave the premises. We reserve the right to refuse custom at any time if any abuse or negative behaviour has occurred, no refunds will be given.

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Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a global pandemic in March 2020, in accordance with this there have been changes to the clinic and the ways in which we work following a risk assessment & in relation to necessary health & safety measures.

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All clients must come alone, wearing their own clean mask (NO gloves) with no unnecessary items, but must bring their own drink and blanket etc if they wish as we can no longer provide refreshments or use reusable porous materials. Communal toilets are available to use at the clients' own risk. 

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All clients must notify us immediately if at any time prior to their appointment (at least 2 weeks) they begin to feel unwell or display any COVID-19 symptoms. Normal cancellation/rescheduling terms & conditions apply. You must be free from any symptoms and at least 2-4 weeks respectively once recovering before returning for a treatment.

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GDPR

EU General Data Protection Regulation. Privacy notice 2018. May 2018.

We are required by law to document what personal information we keep for all clients. At the time of booking your appointment your full name and contact details will be taken.  At your appointment further contact details, a medical history and consent will be recorded as required by law.

These records are kept private and confidential. You have the right to request to see your forms at any time.

We do not send marketing emails or letters however we aim to adhere to the GDPR rules and changes. We do not pass on any information to any other third parties or use the information for any other way other than relating to your cosmetic treatments.

We legally have to keep your information (address, contact details, what treatment you had on what date, and also photographs for legal reasons) for 5 years. Failure to do this results in a void in insurance.