Boots Smooth Skin Frequently asked questions

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• 1. What is the Boots Smooth Skin device?

  Boots Smooth Skin is an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) home-use device for the permanent reduction of unwanted face and body hair.

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• 2. How does Boots Smooth Skin work?

  The Boots Smooth Skin system uses a revolutionary technology formerly only used in salons and clinics called IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) that when used correctly will provide permanent hair reduction. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) acts when a short intense pulse of filtered light is directed into the skin. The amount of light supplied by the Boots Smooth Skin system is carefully controlled so that the hair follicle heats up enough to prevent it from growing again without affecting the skin.

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• 3. Does Boots Smooth Skin hurt?

  You may feel a slight tingling sensation, and warmth around the area, but it shouldn't hurt. However, some areas of the body are more sensitive than others and the extent of the tingling sensation may vary among different people. People with coarse, dark hair may experience an initial sensation similar to that felt by the flick of an elastic band. (always read the user manual)

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• 4. Does Boots Smooth Skin work?

  Yes, with clinically proven results. This product has been tested in independent trials and Boots experts have thoroughly tested the product for safety. iPulse technology has been used successfully in salons and clinics for several years. Results may vary from person to person, always check suitability.

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• 5. Are there any side effects to using Boots Smooth Skin?

  At most you should expect a feeling of heat and tingling in the skin when triggering the light pulse, followed by localised redness of the skin. Anybody who experiences any unusual skin reaction or a lot of pain should stop treatment immediately and seek advice.

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• 6. Does Boots Smooth Skin harm the skin?

  The Boots Smooth Skin system is harmless to the skin provided it is suitable for you to use and is used as instructed. Always refer to the included skin tone chart and user manual before starting treatment.

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• 7. What happens when the Boots Smooth Skin lamp runs out?

  The Boots Smooth Skin lamp is pre-programmed with 10,000 shots of light. When the lamp is running out, a red light will flash on your console and it will eventually stop firing. A replacement handset will have to be purchased if this happens.

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• 8. Can Boots Smooth Skin be used with any other gel?

  No. Boots Smooth Skin Activator Gel is the only gel that should be used. It has been tested for safety and will ensure the best results. It is sold online and in all Boots stores that stock Boots Smooth Skin.

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• 9. Can Boots Smooth Skin Activator Gel be reused?

  No. Once the gel has been applied, and the lamp has been fired on the area, the gel must be wiped off. It should not be reused.

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• 10. Should I wear eye protection when using Boots Smooth Skin?

  No, it is not necessary to wear eye protection when using the Boots Smooth Skin. The light flash is similar to that of a professional camera flash, and the safety system is designed to prevent firing into the air or into the eye.

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• 11. What is the recommended minimum age?

  Children under the age of 16 should not use Boots Smooth Skin. This is because hormone balances in the body are unstable and new hair growth is rapid. We recommend any users age 16 to 18 years old operate the machine under adult supervision. Remember, hair reduction will be permanent.

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• 12. Can Boots Smooth Skin be used on psoriasis/acne/eczema?

  No it is not advisable to treat skin with psoriasis, acne or eczema, or if the area is inflamed.

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• 13. Can Boots Smooth Skin be used on areas that have varicose veins?

  No, Boots Smooth Skin cannot treat an area that contains varicose veins.

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• 14. Can Boots Smooth Skin treat hairy moles?

  No. Moles must not be treated with Boots Smooth Skin. This is because they contain more melanin than usual skin areas and would potentially expose the area to burning if treated. When treating an area near a mole, cover the mole with white eyeliner pencil or a white stationery label to prevent any damage to the area.

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• 15. What about gradual building self-tan moisturisers?

  When using gradual building self-tan moisturisers, it is likely that your skin type will be darkened. This is likely to result in your skin type changing to a darker one, (e.g. from FAIR to MEDIUM), and as a result, a darker setting should be used. However, this may decrease the efficiency of the permanent hair reduction treatment.

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• 16. How do you determine between a skin type medium and dark customer?

  We have provided a comprehensive skin tone chart on the pack which you can use to determine whether Boots Smooth Skin is suitable for you. Or use the online Boots Smooth Skin suitability tool. It is important to remember that darker skin will be more sensitive and could react unfavourably to Intense Pulsed Light. If in doubt, use the darker setting.

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• 17. Can the machine be used for a 'Hollywood' bikini line shaping?

  It is not possible to remove all pubic hair from the delicate area of skin around the female genitals, as this is particularly sensitive. You can, of course, use Boots Smooth Skin to create a great result for even the skimpiest of underwear or bikini. Remember that hair reduction will be permanent.

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• 18. Can I treat the hair on my upper lip?

  Yes, trials have shown that Smooth Skin is safe for use on the upper lip (moustache area) and other facial areas. However, you should ensure that the lip margin is protected with white eyeliner and both your lips are protected using a white stationery label to prevent any damage. You should also protect moles or other dark skin blemishes using white eyeliner or a small white sticky label.

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• 19. Can Boots Smooth Skin be used on all skin types?

  Because the system uses Intense Pulsed Light it is not suitable for all skin types and should not be used on very dark brown or black skin. Boots Smooth Skin provides a skin tone chart which should be used as a guide to identify if the system is suitable for use on your skin and which setting you will need to use to obtain best results. You can check this online by using the Boots Smooth Skin online suitability tool.

  It is not advisable to use Boots Smooth Skin if you have been using fake tan, as this will alter the tone of your skin. Anybody using the Boots Smooth Skin system should read the instructions thoroughly to ensure it's suitable for their skin.

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• 20. Can the Boots Smooth Skin system be used on any part of the body?

  Most areas of the body can be treated with the Boots Smooth Skin system with the exception of the mucus membranes of the body e.g. inside nostrils, ears, labial folds, anus etc. Users should read the instructions thoroughly before use, and care should be taken to ensure Boots Smooth Skin light is not fired into the eye itself.

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• 21. How do you notice the hair has fallen out?

  Hair reduction will not be noticed straight away. Typically, users are aware of hair loss within a week of their first treatment.

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• 22. How long will it take before results are seen?

  The results generally are noticeable within a few weeks of the first treatment. Continuous regular weekly (or every two weeks) use will give good results within 6 to 12 weeks, (darker skin may take longer).

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• 23. Will there be any hair re-growth?

  If there is any hair re-growth it will be to a minimum and the hair will be thinner, finer and lighter. Permanent hair reduction will be seen after a typical 6 to 12 weekly treatments.

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• 24. What products are recommended for use after treatment?

  It is advisable to use a soothing and calming lotion to help keep the treated area cool and hydrated. We recommend an aloe vera based product and an SPF30 sun cream if going intro sunlight with exposed treated areas.

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• 25. If there is a skin reaction, (irritation or heat), what should I do?

  The best way to reduce any irritation or heat is to use a cold compress together with an aloe vera based product. This should be applied regularly during the first 24 hours of the treatment and this should prevent any further adverse reaction.

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• 26. Is there a helpline if I need further advice?

  Yes, the Boots Care Line staff are available on 0845 120 1511 to answer any queries regarding the Boots Smooth Skin. Calls may be recorded to help maintain our high standards of service.

  Monday to Friday: 8.30am-7.00pm Saturday and Sunday: 8.45am-5pm

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• 27. Where is it sold?

  The Boots Smooth Skin will be sold in larger Boots stores and on Boots.com. Contact the Boots Customer Care line on 0845 120 1511 for more information. Calls may be recorded to help maintain our high standards of service.

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• 28. Is the Boots Smooth Skin system the only product on the market that offers permanent hair reduction?

  Salons offer procedures, such as Intense Pulsed Light, for permanent hair reduction; the Boots Smooth Skin device and is the first home device available in the UK and the new Smooth Skin Plus is now also available, find out more.

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Read More Like This:
Boots Smooth Skin - What is Boots Smooth Skin?
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Boots Smooth Skin PLUS - How do I use it?
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