IPL Photo Facial

An IPL photofacial is a skin resurfacing treatment that uses light to target pigmentation issues like sun damage, brown spots, red spots, and Rosacea (enlarged facial blood vessels). 

The “IPL” stands for Intense Pulsed Light. The dazzling light passes through the skin, knocking out the pigment-producing cells and breaking up the uneven color. The light stimulates the production of younger cells.

IPL photofacials can be done on just about any part of the body afflicted with pigmentation issues. This procedure can also be used effectively on both spider veins and broken veins.

Are you thinking about getting an IPL photofacial? Does your skin need to press the “restart” button? Then keep reading to find out more! The great thing about IPL Photofacials is that they’re safe for all ages.

Schedule a consultation now with Dr. Mylissa’s Medical Boutique, conveniently located in beautiful Delray Beach, Florida. Our board-certified doctors and medspa specialists are happy to answer any questions you may have and get you on your way to stunning, natural-looking results. Give us a call at (561) 330-9444.

How Does Intense Pulsed Light Work?

The light used in IPL Photofacials can be emitted at multiple wavelengths into the skin and is precisely calibrated to target the pigment-producing cells underneath the skin. Once the light gets absorbed into the melanin and red blood cells, the light’s energy gets converted to heat energy and destroys active pigment-producing cells, dispersing the discolored areas. 

The device is engineered to kickstart the skin’s natural healing processes without causing any harm to the skin itself. While you recover, the discolored spots get pulled to the skin’s surface. These spots eventually get turned into a flaky-like substance. This gets scraped off, revealing bright and balanced skin coloring underneath. During this process, skin-firming proteins like collagen and elastin are produced, which effectively treat the effects of aging.

IPL treatment uses a broad-spectrum (poly-chromatic) light. Unlike, say, lasers, which are limited to a narrow range of wavelengths, broad-spectrum light is made up of many different wavelengths. The adjustability of these wavelengths allows your aesthetic specialist to customize treatments to react to your specific conditions, making this treatment quite versatile. 

When administered by a qualified professional, IPL Photofacials will not cause any scarring, infections, or complications. It can treat one or multiple issues at the same time.

What does it treat?

Ideal Treatment Areas For IPL Photofacial

Benefits

• Treats Sun-Damaged Skin
  • When it comes to age-signifying skin conditions, the sun is usually the number one cause. Sunlight disintegrates our collagen, which makes the skin weak and more susceptible to sagging and wrinkles. Sun damage can also give you an unappealing “leathery” or weathered look.  
  • IPL treatment combats sun damage by penetrating the skin and showering the discolored cells in powerful light, then dissolving them, removing the discoloration. The skin then proceeds to replace its reserves of collagen, creating healthier and firmer skin. Wrinkles and fine lines begin to fade as well.
• Treats Stubborn Acne
  • Repeated IPL treatments can treat acne, acne scarring, kill harmful bacteria, and reduce inflammation and redness.
  • Treatment helps the skin to shed its outer layer and renew itself, which helps eliminate scar tissue.
• Eliminates Visible Veins and Capillaries
  • IPL treatments are great for blood vessel irregularities because the red blood cells can very efficiently absorb intense pulsed light. IPL treatment helps dissolve spider veins and broken capillaries.
• Prevents Premature Skin Aging
  • Scientists have found that the genetic character of aged skin cells repeatedly treated with IPL resembles that of healthier, younger skin cells.
• Can Be Performed On Multiple Parts of the Body
  • Although it’s mainly used for facial procedures, it can also revitalize the neck, chest, arms, legs, and shoulders. IPL treatments can help your body achieve a more cohesive and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
• Pairs Well With Other Non-Surgical Procedures
  • IPL Photofacials are a simple process and can be paired with other non-surgical procedures like injectable fillers and Botox. This can help treat particular wrinkles that IPL procedures can’t correct, such as the area around the eyes.
  • For most patients, a combination of skin resurfacing, skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, and volume restoration will deliver optimal outcomes.^[1]
• Little Downtime
  • The IPL process is gentle enough not to cause any redness, swelling, or irritation. IPL is safer than laser skin resurfacing due to it being less concentrated than a laser.
  • People who undergo IPL can apply makeup immediately after their procedure. Recovery time is relatively quick, making this a great alternative to chemical peels, which can leave you out of commission for weeks.
• Quick and Easy
  • IPL treatments usually take less than an hour to complete. One could easily schedule an appointment during their lunch break.

Candidates

The ideal candidates for IPL Photofacial are individuals who have had sun-damaged skin due to prolonged UV radiation exposure, which accelerates the skin’s aging.

Signs of Sun Damage

In addition to those dealing with sun damage, other ideal candidates for IPL Photofacial are those who have:

Who Should Avoid IPL?

You should not pursue IPL Photofacial if you:

Personal Consultation

Does smoother, rejuvenated skin sound like something you would like to pursue? Schedule a consultation with us or call us at (561) 330-9444 and become a patient today! We are open six days a week, Monday through Saturday. Contact us now.

Preparation

Avoid tanning and exposure to the sun for two weeks before your appointment. Be sure to wear sunscreen every time you leave your house or apartment. Moisturize regularly, stay hydrated, and avoid smoking. You will also want to avoid taking any retinoid antibiotics like Retin-A, Differin, or Tazorac as they will cause increased skin sensitivity.

Procedure

First, your medspa specialist will clean your skin. Then they will apply a cool gel to augment the light waves’ effect. Your specialist will move the pulsing light over your face in a grid-like pattern. IPL generally takes up to 45 minutes if your face is the only thing that is being treated.

Recovery

Afterward, your medspa specialist will remove the gel and clean the skin. There will be some slight redness and puffiness. Be sure to avoid the sun for a week and utilize sunscreen consistently when you do go outside. 

FAQ

References

1. Farber SE, Epps MT, Brown E, Krochonis J, McConville R, Codner MA. A review of nonsurgical facial rejuvenation. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:72. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.152
2. Brownell, J., BA, Wang, S., MD, & Tsoukas, M. M., MD. (2016). Phototherapy in cosmetic dermatology. Clinics in Dermatology, 34(5), 623-627. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2016.05.013