Sea and Stone Spa (free IPL) Club
This is a private club run by Gender Minorities Aotearoa, in collaboration with Rainbow Youth.
It provides free facial hair removal to transgender people.
Joining Criteria:
Transgender
In Aotearoa NZ
Give name, email, and phone number (do not need proof of ID/legal name)
IPL machine works best with low testosterone levels, but not required for joining.
Cost:
Initial membership fee of $20 (talk to us if you can’t afford it!!)
No cost per session
Treatment times:
Ideal interval is 14 days apart - This is because the hair growth cycle takes 2 weeks
Hair colour range (consult chart):
Works on: black through to light blond hair
Doesn’t work on: very light blonde, white, grey, or red hair
Skin tone range (consult chart):
Effective on: very pale white to dark brown skin tones
Doesn’t work on: very dark brown or black skin tones - This is because IPL is targeting melanin, and the more melanin is present in your skin the more risk there is for burns and damage.
Preparation:
Avoid sun tanning for at least 2 weeks before treatment - This is so your surface skin tone will match the underlying pigment.
Morning of:
Wash and shave the area to be treated.
Do not apply toner, aftershave, lotion, or makeup
Treatment:
The IPL unit is designed for self-use. A member of staff will show you how to use it, and then you can self-treat.
Treatment of the lower face (facial hair area) takes approx. 15 minutes