Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense Pulsed Light, commonly known as IPL plays an integral part in the aesthetic treatments. The uniqueness of its design awards IPL a place in an aesthetic practice for the treatment of shallow pigmented conditions, shallow vascular conditions, acne, collagen stimulation, and limited cases of hair removal. IPL uses a multitude of wavelengths of light that are attracted to different conditions in the skin and vary in their depths of penetration. Therefore, it is an excellent tool for targeting multiple conditions at once. Whether you are bothered by the damaging effects of the sun, broken capillaries of the face, or unwanted acne lesions, IPL gives you the opportunity to attack these conditions individually or as a whole.
In daily life, there are times when multi-tasking is essential for getting something done. Then there are times when pure focus on a single task is needed to accomplish the best end result. IPL represents the multi-task procedure (sun damage, rosacea), and laser represents the need for focus (hair removal, deep veins). The role of each one is crucial, but when determining your needs, you must determine whether your concern requires focus (laser) or multi-tasking (IPL). That is the question.
What does Photorejuvenation do?
Photorejuvenation is a technique used to remove age spots, and superficial small blood vessels due to age, sun damage and the aging process. Most patients will also find that their skin will appear tighter and smoother. Using a light-based device, we “pulse” light onto the problem area of the skin. The light works to remove the dark pigment in the skin. After a photorejuvenation treatment, the dark areas of the skin will peel, slough off and lighten. Some age spots are more “stubborn” than others, so they will not all peel and fade at the same time. Three treatments are advised and occasionally, a patient will need more. Patients should see at least a 50% reduction in age spots, but usually the results are much higher.
Is this procedure done with a laser?
No, this is done with a multi-wavelength light source device. These pulsed wavelengths are absorbed into the age spots and blood vessels, causing them to disintegrate and gradually heal. This is accomplished without skin damage or discoloration. It is a safe, affordable, noninvasive alternative to other skin treatments.
Can Light Therapy Devices treat all skin types?
Light Therapy Devices cannot treat very tan skin or dark skin tones (no dark Hispanic, dark Indian, African American, etc.) though there are other procedures that can be effective for the darker skin types.
What are the areas that can be treated?
The face, neck, arms, hands, décolleté (chest) and legs can be treated with photorejuvenation.
What kind of pain should the patient expect?
A topical anesthetic may be applied before the treatment, the patient will experience a warm stinging sensation. The skin will look like it has mild sunburn after the treatment. A soothing post-operative cream will be applied after each treatment to calm the pain. An application of SPF 30 sunblock will also be applied. If the area being treated is retaining a lot of heat, an ice pack may be applied.
What should the patient expect after the treatment?
The area treated will have a light crusting and peeling will occur, usually within one week after treatment, but sometimes it takes 3 weeks for deep age spots and freckles to “peel” off. Specific instructions on skin care and skin products to be used will be given.
Patients must avoid the sun and wear an approved SPF 30 sunblock.
How are treatments scheduled?
After the initial consultation, the patient will schedule treatment #1. A follow-up treatment visit will be scheduled 3 to 4 weeks after the first treatment. If the patient is still having some peeling from treatment
# 1, treatment #2 will be rescheduled for the following week. The 3rd visit will be 3-4 weeks after the 2nd treatment.
A maintenance treatment is recommended every four to six months.
1st visit day 1
2nd visit 3-4 weeks
3rd visit 3-4 weeks
4th visit 3-4 weeks
What about sun exposure?
Strict sun avoidance must be practiced. No sun exposure for two weeks prior to the first treatment and sun avoidance must continue until 4 weeks after the final treatment. Specific skin products and sunscreen will be advised. If a patient must be in the sun, a recommended sunscreen (30 SPF) must be worn and applied as instructed.
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