Despite the measures we take to prevent sun damage, our skin is easily hyperpigmented by sun damage. Months of long summer days reveal discolorations, age spots, freckles, and dark scars (also called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). Once you see the signs, schedule a session with one of our laser techs. Until then, we’ll brief you on what you can expect from a photofacial.
How does it work?
IPL or Intense Pulsed Light uses high-powered technology to deliver an intense burst of broad-spectrum light. With the advanced technology used, your technician can customize the range of light to target your skin’s specific need—age spots, freckles, capillaries, or redness.
Targeted pigments in the skin are heated with the light and darken in color before they are removed from the skin surface. Depending on the depth of discoloration (i.e. deep-pigmented freckles or age spots), it could take up to four sessions to achieve your optimal results.
What does it treat?
There's multiple benefits to receiving a photofacial. The technology heats the deeper layers of skin to help activate the skin's natural collagen synthesis and regeneration. Ideally, this treatment is used to treat pigment concerns: age spots, freckles, sun damage, facial redness, capillary damage, and telangiectasia, but it can be used for overall rejuvenation.
- Sun damaged skin and mottled skin tone
- Discolorations, age spots, and freckles
- Flushing and facial redness
- Vascular lesions: capillary damage, rosacea, telangiectasia
- Acne therapy
Who is a candidate?
Get an honest evaluation of your skin in a consultation with a laser technician. She will examine your skin, primary concerns, and disposition to scarring or inflammation. Individuals who are prone to red, raised keloid scars, sensitive to burns, or have a condition that impairs the body’s healing and recovery process are generally not candidates for IPL.
If you are approved for the procedure, your technician will devise a unique treatment plan that will help you achieve your best results. Treatment plans include pre-treatment preparation, what to expect during the procedure, and what you’ll need after the procedure to recover from downtime.
What does it feel like?
If you’re concerned about pain or discomfort during the procedure, rest assured that the first course of action in most cases is a topical numbing agent. During the procedure, your technician will apply a cool gel to your skin, followed by placement of the IPL prism. A series of pulses will be flashed through the prism over the treatment area.
Depending on your pain threshold, each person can have a different experience with the treatment. Some patients experience minimal to no discomfort, others report some sensitivity around the eyes and lips. Sensations can also vary with the type and depth of pigment being treated. Immediately after the treatment, you may experience mild redness or swelling.
A typical treatment plan:
A consultation with a technician will help determine the best treatment plan for your concern. On average, three to four treatments, every three to four weeks, may be necessary to achieve optimal results. Our unique technology allows us to address multiple concerns in one session, schedule a consultation to learn about the best options for your skin.
Take the next step and schedule a consultation. Contact Us >