Skin rejuvenation and IPL treatments

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The leather look – better suited for handbags & shoes Sun damage, pollution and just plain aging all add up to skin that’s not as clear and toned as it once was. Many of us over a certain age have spent a lot of time in the sun without any skin protection; as young children, we were often outside all day, as teenagers and young adults, we spent a lot of time working towards that perfect tan, the darker the better.

Even for those of us who were born after the effects of sun exposure were discovered and took preventive measures, few can completely escape photo damaged (sun damaged) skin because we’re exposed to sunlight (UVA or UB) constantly. We can try to prevent it, but we can’t eliminate it entirely and the results can be:

  • uneven pigmentation
  • skin that is uneven or “pebbly”
  • small blood vessels or red markings
  • freckles
  • rough or scaly patches
  • "liver spots” and “age spots”
  • thinner or fragile skin
  • pre-cancerous growths
  • skin cancer

Solution – Skin Rejuvenation with IPL Photofacial

IPL photofacials can help to improve the complexion and are ideal for a photo damaged or sun damaged complexion. They require less recovery time than laser treatments.

What is an IPL photofacial?

IPL (intense pulsed light) is an effective ‘lunchtime’ procedure that uses concentrated, filtered light for skin rejuvenation.  IPL also stimulates collagen production and refines large pores, resulting in a fresh, younger look.

  • Quick, safe and comfortable
  • Non-invasive
  • No gel, pain medication or anesthetic cream required
  • Quick treatment time (< 1 hour),
  • Minimal treatments required (1-3)
  • Works on most skin types as it can be customized to different skin tones and aging conditions

Who is the ideal IPL candidate?

Someone with:

  • light skin (darker or Asian skin may get hyperpigmentation from IPL)
  • broken capillaries
  • loss of skin tone

IPL can treat all three of these conditions at the same time.

Who is not a good candidate for IPL?

  • People with a naturally dark complexion
  • Individuals who have recently tanned or are using tanning products
  • Patients taking light-sensitizing medications, such as tetracyclines
  • Pregnant women
  • Patients with a history of keloid (scar) formation
  • Individuals with bleeding disorders
  • Patients taking anti-coagulants, such as Coumadin® (warfarin)

What areas of the skin can IPL treat?

  • The décolletage (neck and chest)
  • Back
  • Arms
  • Hands

What happens after an IPL photofacial?

Targeted areas of abnormal coloration will darken for the first several days after an IPL photofacial, as they are pulled to the skin’s surface, and then will naturally shed.

What results can be expected from IPL photofacials?

Skin tone and texture will be improved, with the predominant benefit being more even skin color, with removal of or greatly diminished areas of brown and red blotches.

If you have rosacea, there will be  less redness with each treatment. IPL treatments can reduce the appearance of rosacea by as much as 80 percent  to 90 percent.

Questions to ask before undergoing an IPL treatment

  1. “Why am I a good candidate for IPL, and how does it work?” – determine how knowledgeable the operator technician is.
  2. “What licenses do you have, and what’s your training in IPL?” – find out whether they’re a skin care specialist or someone who was hired off the street, and what kind of special training they have.
  3. “How long have you been doing this?” – ensure they have had a few works of experience working with IPL.
  4. “Do you have insurance?” This applies both to the spa that is giving the service and the individual.