Photofacial Treatment

The effects of sun damage, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and more can be reverted back with a Photofacial treatment. With the innovative Intense Pulsed Light (IPL™), gentle skin rejuvenation is now easier than ever. IPL™ photorejuvenation is the latest in modern dermatology, allowing patients to transform red, blotchy skin into a radiant, glowing complexion. If you suffer from any of these problems, photofacial treatments may be a good option for you.

What Is IPL™ Photofacial/Fotofacial?

A photofacial, is a 30-minute procedure that makes use of intense pulses of light to penetrate deep into the skin. IPL™ photorejuvenation causes collagen and blood vessels below the epidermis to constrict, reducing redness and age lines. The procedure involves only minimal discomfort, while the redness and swelling that sometimes occur after treatment disappear shortly. Effects are more obvious gradually in the weeks following treatment. For greater cosmetic enhancement, patients may also opt for a FotoFacial RF™, a procedure that combines radio waves with light waves to achieve excellent results.

Candidates

You are a good candidate for IPL^TM photofacial, if you have any or a combination of the following:

Blotchy skin

sun-damage

discolored skin

large pores

freckles

wrinkles

Those with dark or deeply tanned skin sometimes experience complications following IPL^TM photofacial treatment. Patients should discuss such issues with a trained dermatologist before undergoing treatment.

People with white, untanned skin that is still somewhat elastic are the best candidates for an IPL^TM photofacial. It is also important for patients to have a realistic understanding about what the procedure can do. When performed on the right person, it effectively improves skin texture, eliminates discolorations, reduces pore size, and minimizes wrinkles and fine lines. People who have rosacea, a condition that causes blotchy redness in the face, may also benefit from an IPL^TM photofacial. For more serious issues – heavy facial lines and severe acne scars, patients may wish to consider more aggressive treatment, such as a facelift or a brow lift.

Who should not get Intense Pulsed Light Treatment?

People with tanned or naturally dark skin sometimes experience changes in skin pigmentation after IPL^TM photofacial treatment. Dark complexioned people should discuss possible side effects with a dermatologist before opting for this procedure. Additionally, people who are taking the medication Accutane® should not have an IPL^TM photofacial until at least six months after they stop using the drug. Pregnant women should also postpone treatment until after they give birth.

Cost

IPL™ photorejuvenation is generally more costly than procedures like microdermabrasion and chemical peels but it is less expensive than most cosmetic surgery and laser skin treatment. The overall cost of photorejuvenation treatment will depend on the severity of the aesthetic issues involved as well as the number of treatments needed to resolve them.

How IPL™ Photorejuvenation Works

During IPL™ photorejuvenation treatment, high-energy light waves are used to reduce or eliminate many common effects of aging, including facial wrinkles and skin discolorations. IPL™ light also stimulates the production of collagen, a natural protein that fills in wrinkles, making the skin smooth and even. With each treatment, the results of IPL™ photorejuvenation become more pronounced. Five full-face IPL™ photofacial/fotofacial sessions spaced three weeks apart are normally required for optimal results achievement.

What do you feel during treatment?

Before the start of the procedure, you will be given protective eyewear to protect you from bright flashes of light. A cool gel is often applied to the treatment area, both to lubricate the handpiece and to help cool the epidermis during the treatment. Your skin care specialist will apply brief pulses of bright light to the skin through the handpiece. Depending on the size of the area being treated, the procedure may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.

During the IPL^TM photofacial procedure, you will feel a warm sensation caused by the handpiece. Some patients report a sensation comparable to a light “snap” from a rubber band. The number of pulses you receive will depend on the size of the area being treated. Following the procedure, your skin care specialist may help you by icing down the treatment area to help soothe any discomfort from the procedure. This is often unnecessary, however, as IPL^TM photofacial treatment causes very little pain.

Recovery Time/Down time

The recovery time from an IPL^TM skin procedure is often very short, as there is very little damage done to the skin during treatment. The degree and duration for the persistence of skin redness vary from patient to patient according to their skin type. The side effects of IPL^TM photofacial treatment subside within a few hours for many patients. For some patients, however, the redness or dark spots may take a week to go away. Patients treated for severe acne sometimes experience longer recovery times, though they are often amazed by the results when the side effects wear off.

The most important things to remember following IPL^TM photofacial treatment are to avoid the sun exposure for several days and to wear plenty of sunblock for at least two weeks. Intense pulsed light therapy can give you excellent results for a year or more, but you must take care to ensure your skin is protected for the first few weeks after treatment.

Multiple IPL^TM photofacial Treatments

Often, multiple IPL^TM photofacial treatments are necessary to achieve maximum results. Especially if you are seeking to remedy multiple problems – for instance, if you are seeking to improve skin texture and reduce redness – multiple treatments affecting different layers of the skin will likely be required. Your skin care specialist can help you find out how many IPL^TM photofacial treatments you may need to achieve your set goals.

IPL™ Photofacial FAQs

What is intense pulsed light (IPL^TM) therapy?

Intense pulsed light therapy was invented by Dr. Patrick Bitters Jr. The IPL^TM photofacial skin procedure involves the use of an intense beam of broad-spectrum light (as opposed to lasers, which operate within a very specific wavelength) that targets the dermis, the lower layer of the skin. The procedure simultaneously removes damaged and photoaged skin cells at the same time stimulate collagen growth. IPL^TM photorejuvenation therapy can improve the color, consistency, and texture of the skin, simultaneously.

Why choose IPL^TMphotorejuvenation vs. laser treatment?

One of the greatest benefits of IPL^TM photorejuvenation is that it can treat a wide range of skin problems. With IPL^TM therapy, patients can undergo a single type of treatment for multiple skin conditions, rather than having to undergo several procedures, such as laser skin tightening and laser skin resurfacing. IPL^TM photorejuvenation is usually less expensive than laser treatment as well. Perhaps the greatest benefit of the procedure, however, is that it is associated with a smaller risk of burns and scarring than laser treatment.

Are there side effects associated with IPL^TMphotorejuvenation?

Most reported side effects of IPL^TM photorejuvenation are mild and get resolved within a few hours or days of treatment. The most common side effect is facial redness or flushing. Small capillaries may appear larger immediately following treatment as well – but this is not the point to worry about; this is common and will fade quickly. In rarer instances, mild bruising and swelling may occur, but this too will go away within a day or so. Permanent side effects from photorejuvenation are extremely rare.

How much does an IPL^TM treatment cost?

IPL^TM photorejuvenation cost usually runs between $300 and $600 per treatment. However, the exact amount varies depending on the area of the country in which the treatment is performed.

What does IPL^TM photorejuvenation treat effectively?

IPL^TM photorejuvenation can treat a wide variety of skin problems. It can be used to remove red spots or diffused redness and can help with acne or rosacea as well. IPL^TM treatments can also help to smooth uneven skin texture, close large pores, and eliminate wrinkles by stimulating collagen growth.

With so many applications, it is no wonder that many consider IPL^TMphotorejuvenation to be the most versatile skin treatment available.

Is IPL^TM photorejuvenation safe?

IPL^TM photorejuvenation is one of the safest light-based facial treatments available so far. Most patients experience little or no pain during the procedure. Some patients have reported that the light pulses feel similar to a light “snap” from a rubber band. There have been few reported long-term side effects of IPL^TM photorejuvenation, and the most common side effects include redness, minor swelling, and inflammation which usually subside within a few hours to a few days after treatment.

How many treatment sessions do I need?

Depending on the area being treated and the severity of the problem, multiple treatment sessions may be recommended. For many problems, physicians will recommend between three to five treatments.