Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacial

At Advanced Laser Clinic, we offer IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) photo facials, which are an effective, non-invasive treatment to help improve skin discoloration. IPL is a light-based technology that uses photorejuvenation to exfoliate the skin while correcting uneven skin tone and color abnormalities. With minimal downtime and no significant side-effects, it’s a safe and quick way to bring out your skin’s real beauty.

Photofacial treatments are ideally suited for patients who have hyperpigmentation as well as other skin-related issues including:

• Sun-damaged and photo-aged skin (sun spots)
• Irregular skin pigmentation resulting from hormonal factors and/or lifestyle choices (i.e. alcohol use, smoking)
• Rosacea/facial redness
• Melasma and other pigmentation anomalies
• Wrinkles, fine lines, age spots
• Dilated blood vessels and/or benign vascular lesions (broken capillaries)

Although photofacials are non-invasive and do not require any anesthesia, incisions, or injections, our experienced, knowledgeable practitioners perform these treatments to achieve optimal results. Our highly trained and licensed aesthetic medical professionals are pleased to offer IPL photofacial treatments.

How Do IPL PhotoFacials Work?

IPL PhotoFacial utilizes a non-laser medical device that delivers a series of gentle pulses of visible light onto the surface of your skin. In a series of treatments, pulses of visible light target the surface of your skin to effectively eliminate redness, broken capillaries, brown spots, sun damage, large pores, fine lines, and rosacea and melasma conditions. Upon assessing the degree of skin damage, specific settings are selected by our certified technicians to customize IPL PhotoFacial treatment for best results. Some patients opt for chemical peels or microdermabrasion treatments in conjunction with IPL PhotoFacial treatments to enhance results.

What Happens After IPL PhotoFacial Treatments?

Immediately following an IPLPhotoFacial treatment, you may notice a slight reddening of the surrounding skin which typically subsides within a couple of hours. Signs of sun damage and age spots temporarily darken but over the course of the next one to three weeks, darkened spots will fade and flake off and your mottled complexion will clear.

When Will I See Results?

Many patients see significant improvement within two to three weeks of your IPL PhotoFacial treatment. Your complexion will be clearer and younger looking. IPL PhotoFacial provides gradual, natural improvement with excellent long-term results. You will notice a reduction in redness, flushing and dilated capillaries and your skin will look healthier as sun damage, fine lines, pore size, freckling and irregular pigmentation is minimized. Results from a full series of IPL PhotoFacial treatments usually last for a year or more.

Will The Spots And Redness Reappear Over Time?

Over time new spots may appear if there is sufficient sun exposure. These too can be removed. Remember to liberally apply sunscreen when outdoors to minimize sun damage and the appearance of new spots and excessive redness.

Before Your Treatment

Here at Advanced Laser Clinic, we recommend not using Accutane use for 6 months prior to treatment, because it will affect the results in a negative way. Some more suggestions we have include not tanning the areas being treated for 4 weeks prior to treatment, not using self-tanning products for 2 weeks prior to treatment, and stopping all Retin-A, Retinol, Renova, glycolics, bleaching creams, and exfoliants 3-4 days prior to treatment.

The treatment area must be free of any open sores, lesions or skin infections. For treatment of pigmented skin lesions, you should consult a specialist if there is a family or personal history of skin cancer or if you have these concerns. Any hair that is present has to be removed before this treatment and men should shave their beard area twice in succession in order to ensure as close a shave as possible.

Gently wash the area to be treated, removing makeup,lotion, etc. Do not apply any creams, lotions or other products to the area except a topical anesthetic (if being used). If you have elected to use a topical anesthetic, do so only after reviewing all cautions associated with its use. Apply and use as directed prior to arrival. Some more things to consider are that you cannot be pregnant or breast feeding to receive treatment and if you have a history of oral herpes, you must pre-treat with an anti-viral three days before your scheduled visit.

After Your Treatment

You will have a mild sunburn sensation following treatment that is usually gone within a few hours. Skin redness, flaking, mild bruising and/or slight edema (swelling) is normal and may last a few days. Blistering is uncommon and when it occurs it is generally not serious. Pigmented areas may begin to flake after a few days.

Cold compresses (not ice) and recommended skin care products may be useful to reduce swelling or discomfort. You may take over-the-counter pain or anti-inflammatory medication. Hydrocortisone (steroid) cream may decrease any itching or skin irritation. Antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) may be used if skin is broken, to prevent infection.

Your skin will be fragile for 2-3 days. Use gentle cleansers, but do not rub the skin vigorously and avoid hot water during this time. Skin moisturizers may be used immediately and makeup can be applied if the skin is not broken. It is important to avoid sun exposure and tanning creams between treatments. Use SPF 30 or greater on the treatment area at all times.

The treatment area may be left open and uncovered. Do not scrub or exfoliate the area. Do not use any products on the treated area without first consulting our staff. Avoid soaking for 24 to 48 hours. No hot tubs, whirlpools or baths, but showers are okay. Avoid excessive sweating for 24 to 48 hours. No saunas or vigorous working out. Avoid irritants, such Retin-A, Retinol, Renova, glycolics, bleaching creams,and exfoliants for one week.

Treated areas will usually darken after treatments. Crusting of the skin can form. This crusting usually resolves in 1 to 3 weeks. Please allow your skin to naturally flake off for best results. In the rare case that you experience any blistering or scabbing, please call us as soon as possible. Contact us if you experience persistent or unusual redness, swelling or drainage, as antibiotics may be necessary. Do not apply makeup until redness has subsided. Avoid microdermabrasion and chemical peels for one week after your treatment.

Follow Up

Follow up treatments should be scheduled every 3-4 weeks. We recommend repeating the treatments since that will produce the best resolution for photo damage, fine lines, acne scars, rosacea, etc. Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels should be done in between your IPL treatments to enhance results.