Relax & Rejuvenate (intense pulsed light therapy skin resurfacing)

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, aka photofacial, is a way to improve the color and texture of your skin without surgery. It can undo some of the visible damage caused by sun exposure called photoaging. You may notice it mostly on your face, neck, hands, or chest.

IPL can make your skin look better, but it can’t stop future aging. It also can’t help the condition that affected your skin. You can get follow-up treatment once or twice a year to maintain your look.

intense pulsed light therapy ipl treatment for dark spots skin resurfacing

IPL uses light energy to target a certain color in your skin.

When the skin is heated, your body gets rid of the unwanted cells, and that gets rid of the thing you’re being treated for. Unlike lasers, an IPL device sends out more than one wavelength of pulsating light. It can treat a range of skin conditions at the same time.

intense pulsed light therapy ipl treatment for dark spots skin resurfacing

It works best if you have pale or light brown skin. schedule consult if you want to lessen or get rid of:

• Acne
• Birthmarks
• Stretch marks
• Liver or age spots 
• Broken blood vessels
• Brown spots, also called liver or age spots
• Dark spots from hormonal changes
• Discolored skin
• Fine wrinkles
• Freckles
• Redness from rosacea
• Scars

Before the procedure, don’t:

• Tan in the sun, in a tanning bed, or with tanning creams for 4 weeks before you go
• Wax, or get a chemical peel or collagen shots for 2 weeks before
• Wear perfume, makeup, deodorant, or any skin irritants
• Take aspirin or another drug that can make you bleed more
• Take any medication that will make you sun-sensitive; for example, the antibiotic doxycycline.

Once you’re there, a technician or dermatologist will rub gel on your clean skin. You’ll wear dark glasses to protect your eyes. The handheld IPL device will go right on your body. The session will probably last 20 or 30 minutes. Large areas could take an hour or more.

While most people are fine with the light pulses, the treatment could sting a little. It might feel like someone is snapping a rubber band on you. Your dermatologist can give you numbing cream to put on 30-60 minutes before treatment starts.

Most people get between three and seven sessions. It depends on the condition you’re treating. You’ll wait 2-4 weeks between each visit. It may take several weeks for you to notice any changes in your skin.

It may feel like you have a sunburn for 4-6 hours after you’re finished. Ice packs or a cool washcloth can help you feel better.

Your skin may be red or bruised for a day or two. Some of your brown spots may get darker, but they should peel off within a few weeks.

While you heal:

• Don’t put on makeup if your skin hurts.
• Use moisturizing lotion.
• Protect yourself with sunscreen. Make sure it has an SPF of at least 30 and a physical blocker like zinc. Reapply it every 2 hours, even if it’s not sunny outside.
• Wash your face with cleanser for sensitive skin.

Always consult with your doctor before getting any skin treatments.

• Are pregnant
• Have a skin condition
• Take medication for other conditions including photosensitive medications

IPL isn’t a good idea if you:

• Are sensitive to light (Ex: Photosensitive Epilepsy, Anxiety, Mood Disorder, Seizures)
• Have recently tanned your skin using sunlight, tanning beds, or tanning creams
• Might have skin cancer
• Use a retinoid cream
• Are very dark-skinned
• Have a skin resurfacing disorder
• Have severe scarring
• Have keloid scar tissue

Always consult with your physician before such treatment.

On the day of your appointment, avoid using perfume, makeup, and scented products that can irritate your skin.

How well IPL works can depend on what you want the treatment to fix.
Redness: After one to three treatments, light therapy can get rid of 50%-75% of broken blood vessels for most people. They could completely go away. While treated veins don’t come back, new ones might show up later.

Acne: IPL may help if you have acne or the scarring it causes. You may need about six sessions to notice a difference. Research is continuing.

Sun damage: You may see 70% less of the brown spots and redness caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays.

IPL is safe when done by a trained technician. But the treatment could cause hormonal brown spots to flare up. You could have other unwanted side effects.

Your skin could:

• Scar
• Hurt
• Swell
• Bleed
• Become infected
• Change color
• Get crusty
• Blister

intense pulsed light therapy ipl treatment for dark spots skin resurfacing