Want younger-looking skin in time for summer?

Are you looking for a good solution to sun-damaged skin or early signs of aging—but don't want any downtime? Consider IPL photofacials.

What is an IPL photofacial?

An IPL, or intense pulsed light, photofacial is a “lunchtime” skin procedure that uses concentrated light to treat:

• Increased vascularity—spider veins, broken capillaries
• Sun spots and brown blotches
• Rosacea
• Active acne

“IPL photofacials are very effective in treating the ‘reds and browns’ on the skin,” says Genie Landon, MD.

Is IPL just for facials?

No. Sun spots can also affect the décolletage area. “Many women who have had breast augmentation and want to wear low-cut fashions have IPL treatments to erase the sun damage on their neck and chest,” says Dr. Landon.

“Some patients who are very conscious of their hands' appearance as they age also get IPL treatments to erase those age spots,” she adds.

How do IPL treatments work?

“IPL treatments use pulses of light wavelengths targeted to be absorbed by the skin's ‘reds and browns’—the hemoglobin in red blood cells carried in the undesired blood vessels and the skin's brown pigment or melanin,” Dr. Landon explains.

“These treatments are non-ablative, meaning the light pulses pass into the skin without destroying the skin layers or producing open wounds,” she says. “And IPL photofacials involve little or no downtime.”

How many IPL treatments are needed?

“We usually recommend a series of five treatments, but some patients may see significant improvement after two or three,” says Dr. Landon. “Treatments are optimally spaced three to five weeks apart. The time needed for each treatment depends on the size of the area being covered, but a full-face IPL would take about 15 minutes.

“Most patients do not need a topical anesthetic, but for those who do, it's a good idea to schedule 30 minutes before the actual IPL treatment to allow time for the numbing cream to take effect. Although the skin may appear flushed after an IPL treatment, most patients can apply makeup and go right back to work or their normal activities.”

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