Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacial is a laser light treatment that targets pigment issues, such as brown spots, sun damage and red spots, and Rosacea. The bright light passes through the epidermis, drawing out the pigment-producing cells and dispersing the uneven pigment. IPL Photofacial can be used on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, back arms, legs, and just about anywhere else. Photofacial is also an effective treatment for broken veins and spider veins. According to Stanford Medical University, the long-term effects of Photofacial reverse the signs of aging.
IPL Photofacial is an Intense Pulsed Light that emits multiple wavelengths into the skin and effectively targets pigment-producing cells below the surface of the skin. The light energy is converted to heat energy and destroys the hyperactive melanin-producing cells in the layers of your skin, eventually dispersing pigmented areas. The spots are pulled to the surface, eventually turning into a coffee-ground-like texture that ultimately flakes off, revealing beautiful, radiant skin beneath.
Those with a higher Fitzpatrick score, those with a tan, and those with melasma are not good candidates. Because the light rays are attracted to pigment, darker skin tones can become discolored, and melasma patches can become darker.
For best results, 3-5 treatments are typically recommended, about four weeks apart.
Photofacial would not necessarily be called painful, but it can be a little uncomfortable. Patients liken the feeling to a rubber band snapping on their skin. The light from the laser is also quite bright, which may be uncomfortable for some with light sensitivity.
The length of treatment is dependent on the number of areas being treated and the number of passes the aesthetician makes on the area. For reference, getting an IPL Photofacial on the face would take about 45 minutes.
Photofacial results perpetually improve over time, with the best results being seen three months after the last treatment. Sun protection and skin care maintenance are essential to the longevity of the results. Sunburns and overexposure will bring back old spots, and freckles and dullness will return if proper exfoliation during daily routines is neglected. A new series of treatments are recommended every year for optimal results.
Your aesthetician will thoroughly cleanse your skin, so you can either come with or without makeup. After the skin is clean, the aesthetician will apply a cooling gel to your skin, which enhances the effect of the light waves. The aesthetician moves the laser over the skin in a grid-like pattern, flashing the light about every centimeter. Depending on your needs, the aesthetician may go over the area multiple times.
After the treatment, the aesthetician will again clean the skin, removing the gel. You will likely be slightly red and puffy, but there is no significant downtime. You are free to re-apply makeup right away and return to your regular skincare routine. Be sure to stay out of the sun for at least the next week and be consistent in sunscreen application.
As with any aesthetic treatment, there are risks; however, this is why you should only trust an experienced and Licensed Aesthetician. Clients with melasma will experience a darkening in those areas and should not be treated. Those who have been on a strong antibiotic or Accutane should not receive treatment until six months after the last treatment.
To know more about IPL Photofacial treatment and its many benefits, call our office in Chicago, IL. Reach us at (312) 939 4000 or request an appointment online.