An IPL Photofacial is the "go to" treatment for reducing the appearance of brown spots caused by aging or sun damage and to diffuse redness. A strong laser is used in IPL (intense pulse light) photofacial treatments.
The laser frequency targets dark pigment in the skin and brings it to the skin’s surface. The dark pigment, which can be easily covered with makeup, just flakes off over the course of about a week. The laser energy in an IPL Photofacial also heats the skin, which stimulates collagen production. This heat also helps blood vessels that cause spider veins and rosacea to constrict, reducing their appearance.
IPL Photofacial treatments are typically administered on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands to provide a more even skin color. Treatments do not require topical anesthetic, and there is no down time. A series of treatments, each 4 to 6 weeks apart, may be needed to produce optimal results. On average, most people see a 90% improvement in brown spots and redness.
While chemical peels and microdermabrasion can be helpful, an IPL photofacial is the gold standard for eliminating dark pigment, particularly pigment caused by sun damage, freckles, and age spots on the face, hands and chest. IPL Photofacials also help improve the appearance of very fine lines and can help diffuse redness caused by rosacea and spider veins.
An IPL photofacial is also effective at treating acne vulgarus. A 2010 study found that patients showed a 49.19% reduction in acne after four IPL photofacial sessions. In this study, no adverse side effects were observed during treatment and post-treatment. At 6 months post-treatment, 72% of the noninflammatory acne lesions were cleared and 73% of the inflammatory acne lesions were cleared.
Rosacea can also cause discoloration on the skin. There is no known telangiectasiacause of rosacea, which manifests itself on the face with flushing and redness, bumps and pimples, and the small visible blood vessels called telangiectasia. The range of possible causes has included defects in the immune system, nervous system and facial blood vessels, and the presence of microbes and Demodex mites.
While there is also no cure for rosacea, IPL can minimize the redness that makes sufferers self-conscious.
Body Beautiful Spa uses the Cutera Limelight IPL. Many physicians, including our own who have worked with many brands, firmly believe that the Limelight is the most powerful IPL photofacial device available.
A really good IPL Photofacial requires a powerful laser with the best settings for your skin type and the area being treated. Because mistakes in settings can cause burns and permanent hypopigmentation, many IPL photofacial providers turn the settings way down. Sometimes the settings are so low that the treatment doesn’t do anything at all! That won’t happen at Body Beautiful Spa.