If you are looking for a way to refresh your look for the new season, why not start with your skin? An intense pulsed light (IPL) fotofacial can be the perfect way to add a radiant glow to all your favorite spring fashions. In addition to your face, IPL can also be used to treat your neck, chest and the backs of your hands. Now is the time to schedule your treatment to get ready to greet the warm weather months in high style.
What is IPL?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light, which is a special technology used to reverse signs of sun damage and eliminate brown spots and vascular lesions on the skin. IPL therapy delivers concentrated laser light energy underneath the skin’s surface to improve skin texture and tone. The light also targets the pigmentation in the skin to eliminate age spots and freckles and coagulates visible vessels so that they disappear from view.
IPL is a non-surgical solution to skin rejuvenation that does not involve anesthesia, incisions or recovery time afterward. The procedure is performed right in our office and most patients are able to return to regular activities immediately following treatment. IPL offers the best outcome when performed in a series of treatment sessions, since optimal benefits develop over time.
What it Treats
We typically recommend an IPL fotofacial for our patients with the following concerns:
- Sun damage and early signs of aging
- Age spots and freckles
- Enlarged pores
- Hyperpigmentation and melasma
- Irregular skin texture
- Visible veins and broken capillaries
- Redness due to acne or rosacea
Dr. Birchall will meet with you prior to your treatment to discuss your specific concerns and desired results before determining whether an IPL fotofacial will be the best treatment for you.
How it Works
The IPL treatment session usually takes around 30 minutes to complete, depending on the size of the treatment area. During the procedure, a handheld applicator is run across the skin’s surface, delivering light energy to the dermal layers below. Patients may feel a sensation similar to a rubber band snap when the light goes into the skin. The procedure is generally very tolerable without any type of anesthesia.
After your treatment, you will be able to return to your daily activities right away. Your skin may be red and tender for a few hours after treatment, similar to a sunburn, but this side effect will subside on its own fairly quickly. Pigmentation spots that were treated will likely darken in the days following treatment before flaking away completely. It is very important to protect your skin from the sun after your procedure to avoid complications like burning or skin discoloration.
What to Expect
You will begin to notice results soon after your first IPL treatment, which will continue to improve after subsequent treatment sessions. Your skin will appear smoother with a more consistent texture. Brown spots and visible vessels will disappear, leaving your complexion clearer. Once you see full results, those results should be very long-lasting. However, if signs of aging or sun damage reappear, additional treatments may be recommended to maintain your positive results.
Spring is the season of new beginnings, so maybe now is the time to give your skin a new lease on life with an IPL fotofacial. To learn more about this procedure or find out if it is right for you, contact Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinics at 858-943-2443 or 760-472-5088.