Photo rejuvenation reduces many signs of aging and restores the skin to a more youthful appearance by treating a variety of aesthetic concerns. This treatment is performed with a non-invasive laser that delivers pulses of light to targeted areas of the skin.
IPL (intense pulsed light) photo rejuvenation safely and comfortably fades the appearance of skin imperfections caused by the sun and uneven skin tones caused by brown and red areas. This treatment also helps with fine lines, reduces pore size, and improves skin texture. It is still considered the gold standard for treating the reds caused by rosacea. The areas that are most often treated are the face, chest, and hands.
Before your treatment begins, we will cleanse and prep your skin. Cooling gel may be applied, and we will provide you with protective eyewear to keep your eyes safe from the bright flashes of light. Your specialist will then use the IPL handheld device, passing it over your skin as it delivers powerful pulses of light deeply into your skin. Many individuals who get IPL treatments find the procedure to be more mildly uncomfortable than actually painful. It can be compared to plucking nose hairs, getting a brief pinch, or having rubber bands snapped on the skin. Most patients find everything completely tolerable.
After the treatment, you may be given ice packs or a topical cream to soothe any discomfort. Treatment time is 15-30 minutes, depending on the area you’re having addressed.
Many patients ask how many treatments they will need. The answer to this will vary from patient to patient because it depends on the size of the area being treated, how old the damage is, and your personal aesthetic goals. During your consultation with us, we will go over how many sessions you’ll need.
Pulses of intense light are sent into the skin with a handheld instrument. These pulses of light summon different forms of pigmentation to the skin’s surface, and over the next few days, the pigmentation will first become darker, then will shed off. The intense light also causes blood vessels below the skin to constrict, which reduces the redness, age lines, broken capillaries, or skin discolorations. An added benefit is that the intense light also stimulates the growth of collagen, which makes the skin smoother and more youthful. The result of an IPL photo rejuvenation treatment is skin that is more evenly-toned skin with a fresh, healthy glow.
Downtime from an IPL treatment will depend on how aggressive the procedure was. For example, some people will have temporary discoloration for 3-4 days afterward which will flake off slowly. Others may experience splotchy or red skin, and others see pepper-like speckles on their skin.
Sometimes the discoloration that was already there will look more pronounced during the recovery process, but it is normal and temporary. During recovery, some patients feel like they have a sunburn. Most benefits of IPL photo rejuvenation will happen gradually, over about two weeks following treatment.