Want younger-looking, smoother skin—
without any downtime?

Consider IPL photofacials

• Wish you could erase sun damage and age spots?
• Is rosacea making your face look blotchy?
• Troubled by acne or enlarged pores?

IPL photofacials can help you improve your complexion without injuring or removing the skin surface.

What is an IPL photofacial?

An IPL (intense pulsed light) photofacial is a “lunchtime” skin procedure that uses concentrated, filtered light to rejuvenate your skin.

This procedure is very effective in treating the irregular red and brown color of skin that may arise from:

• Abnormal blood vessels such as spider veins, broken capillaries or areas of inflammation
• Sun-induced freckles and brown spots due to aging
• Rosacea

How do IPL treatments work?

IPL photofacials use pulses of light, at specific wavelengths, that target the hemoglobin and melanin pigments contained in the skin's “reds and browns.”

Unlike some laser facial treatments, IPL treatments are non-ablative—meaning that they do not destroy or disrupt the surface layer of the skin.

Who is a good candidate for IPL photofacials?

You may be a candidate for IPL photofacials if you have:

• A light to medium complexion
• Areas of redness and/or hyperpigmentation (unusual darkening of the skin)
• A busy schedule that doesn't allow you to take time off to recover from ablative laser treatments or strong chemical peels

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 formation
• Individuals with bleeding disorders
• Patients taking anti-coagulants, such as Coumadin® (warfarin)

Are IPL treatments just for the face?

No. IPL treatments can also rejuvenate the skin of other areas including:

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

How long does an IPL treatment take?

That depends on the surface area of the region(s) being treated. For instance, a full-face IPL takes approximately 20 minutes.

How many IPL treatments are needed?

That depends on how much vascularity (“reds” in the skin) or pigmentation (“browns” in the skin) needs to be removed. Normally, a series of five treatments is recommended. Some patients see significant improvement after two or three treatments.

How long does it take to recover
from an IPL photofacial?

The skin may appear temporarily flushed after an IPL treatment, but patients generally go back to work or resume their other normal activities immediately following the procedure. Any redness, which typically lasts for one to three hours, is easily covered by a complimentary application of our Jane Iredale mineral make-up.

It is especially important to avoid sun exposure after an IPL treatment, as your skin will be more sensitive to the sun. We always apply an excellent broad-spectrum sunscreen before you leave our office.

What happens in the days 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. These darkened areas will then be naturally shed.

What results can you expect from IPL photofacials?

Skin tone and texture will be improved. The predominant benefit is an evening out of skin color, with removal of or greatly diminished areas of brown and red blotches.

If you have rosacea, you will notice less redness with each treatment. In fact, IPL treatments can reduce the appearance of rosacea by as much as 80% to 90%.

Do IPL treatments prevent sun damage or rosacea?

No. IPL photofacials do not prevent future sun damage, nor do they cure rosacea. The treatments improve the skin's appearance by removing or, minimizing the “reds and browns.” A good skin care program with an emphasis on sun protection is the key to good skin health.

Dr. Genie Landon answers questions
about IPL photofacials

Are all IPL treatments alike?

“No. When comparing IPL treatment providers, it's important to ask how many passes are included in the price they're quoting. Many IPL treatment providers do only one pass of the IPL lens over the skin. We do two passes—one in one direction, and the second pass at a 90-degree angle to the first.

“The second perpendicular pass makes sure we obtain optimal coverage of the treatment area and do not leave ‘footprints’ of the rectangular-shaped IPL lens on the skin. It's much like when you paint a wall—you don't want to see brush marks when the job is done.”

Is IPL a laser therapy?

“No. Many people mistakenly believe that IPL is a laser, but, strictly speaking, IPL is a light-based therapy that is not a laser.”

What's the difference between a laser and IPL?

“A laser uses one wavelength of light, and the waves of light are columnated—it's as if you would take a comb through your hair—you'd get all the strands lined up.

“IPL uses a spectrum of wavelengths targeted to be absorbed by the hemoglobin in the abnormal blood vessels and melanin in the unwanted brown pigmentation.”

How can IPL treat acne?

“For patients with active inflammatory acne, we apply a photosensitizing agent, aminolevulinic acid, or ALA (Levulan®) before the IPL photofacial. This treatment is highly effective and does not have the difficult side-effects of Accutane therapy. IPL photofacials with ALA pre-treatment are a form of PDT, or photodynamic therapy, and are also an effective treatment for patients with flat, pre-cancerous lesions called actinic keratoses.”