IPL / Intense Pulsed Light
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) skin treatments, or Photofacials, are among the most effective procedures available for reducing sun damage and the signs of photoaging on the face, neck, décolleté and hands. IPL Photofacials are also among the gentlest non-ablative skin treatments able to offer dramatic skin rejuvenation results in a short period of time.
Are you a candidate for Photofacial treatment?
Both male and female adults of all ages with skin pigmentation problems are ideal Photofacial candidates and may want to consider IPL treatment for correction of:
- Freckles
- Age spots or sun spots
- Hyperpigmentation
- Melasma
- New, red stretch marks
- Skin redness
- Rosacea
- Broken capillaries
Most IPL Photofacial patients seek the treatment to get rid of facial redness and broken capillaries, however in addition to treating uneven pigmentation and discoloration in the skin, IPL treatment may also be used to permanently reduce facial and body hair.
How IPL Photofacial works
An IPL Photofacial uses broad spectrum light to seek out brown and red pigmentation in the skin. This allows the IPL to target sun damage and hyperpigmentation, redness, broken capillaries and hair follicles with ease in fair-skinned patients. However, because IPL is so good at seeking and destroying pigmentation in the skin, it is not suitable for use on patients with darker skin or ethnic skin types.
After IPL treatment, skin gradually turns darker then flakes off over a period of two to three weeks. Depending on the aggressiveness of the Photofacial, no downtime is typically necessary after IPL treatment, however it is recommended that patients avoid sun exposure to ensure the best possible Photofacial results are achieved.
It is also often necessary to have IPL treatments performed in a series of six to eight treatments spaced once month apart to achieve the best possible results. It is not uncommon to return for IPL touch-ups annually or semi-annually after your initial treatment series is finished so you can maintain your results.
Photofacial side effects
Immediately following an IPL Photofacial, you may feel a slight burning sensation, and mild itching, swelling and redness may occur. IPL side effects are typically temporary, however permanent pigmentation changes can occur if the face is burned during treatment. To avoid facial burns, seek an expert for facial rejuvenation and laser hair removal with IPL and do not seek IPL treatment if you are not fair-skinned.
Photofacial rejuvenation
Photofacial rejuvenation can not only improve skin tone and even out pigmentation, it can also help sun worshippers reverse the damage done to their skin over years of unprotected over-exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays.
During consultation, Dr. Ljung will discuss your goals for photofacial rejuvenation with you, as well as any other cosmetic concerns you would like to address. After completing a medical history review and assessing your health, Dr. Ljung may recommend IPL treatment for photofacial rejuvenation or laser hair removal.
