IPL / Photo facial

10 Benefits of the IPL Photofacial

With so many options for skin resurfacing currently available, it can be not easy to select the best treatment to meet your needs. If you’re wondering how photorejuvenation compares to similar treatments, like chemical peels, reviewing the unique benefits of the IPL photo facial is a great place to start. Alternatively, you can arrange a consultation with our experts to discuss if IPL Photofacial is the best option. Ten of the top reasons our patients choose the IPL photo facial are outlined below:

• A photo facial is one of the best ways to treat sun-damaged skin. When it comes to aging, the sun is your skin’s worst enemy: Most of the changes in skin conditions we associate with getting older are a direct result of exposure to UV radiation. Sunlight breaks down the collagen in our skin, making it weaker and more susceptible to wrinkling and sagging. Sun damage also causes dark “age spots” to form on highly exposed areas (like the hands and face), giving the skin a lined, leathery, weathered look. If you think you look older than your actual age, habits like intentional tanning or spending a great deal of time outdoors may be to blame. The IPL photofacial combats the effects of UV damage in two ways: First, it penetrates and draws out discolored cells that have formed deep in the dermis. By dissolving these cells, intense pulsed light removes dark age spots and excessive freckling to restore an even, dewy complexion. After this stage of deep exfoliation, the skin begins to generate a significant amount of new collagen, which replaces collagen stores that have been destroyed by the sun. As a result of this healing process, the skin becomes stronger and more supple. Wrinkles and fine lines disappear may be lessened, and many patients also see some reduction in facial sagging. These subtle effects will not compare to aggressive treatments such as facelifting.
• Photofacials can treat stubborn acne. Intense pulsed light can tackle the causes of acne and its lasting side effects, like scarring. This procedure also kills harmful bacteria and reduces redness and inflammation. Repeated IPL photo facials encourage the skin to shed and renew its outer layer, gradually eliminating scar tissue. Before you have an IPL photo facial, you may need to stop using topical and systemic acne medications for up to six months. Generally, skin resurfacing is only recommended for patients who aren’t experiencing a substantial reduction in acne symptoms through medication alone.
• Intense pulsed light is an excellent way to eliminate visible veins and capillaries. Because intense pulsed light is absorbed very efficiently by red blood cells, the IPL photo facial is one of the best treatments for visible blood vessel abnormalities. Our patients use the IPL photo facial to dissolve broken capillaries and spider veins for a more even, youthful complexion. This procedure is also ideal for treating conditions that cause diffuse redness, like rosacea.
• Having regular photo facials can prevent premature skin aging. Intense pulsed light is unique in its ability to change the structure of skin cells, making them behave more like young cells. A 10-year study conducted by Stanford University in California demonstrated that having two to three photo facials per year for a decade can positively alter the genes of dermal cells. The genetic expression of aged skin cells treated regularly with intense pulsed light resembles that of young, healthy skin cells. As such, intense pulsed light can prevent (and not just treat) many superficial signs of aging. To maximize the IPL photofacial’s age-fighting properties, you must avoid sun exposure, especially in the weeks before and after IPL treatment. (All skin resurfacing procedures make the skin temporarily more sensitive to UV radiation, so applying an SPF 50 sunscreen is a must.) It would help if you also kept your weight stable because weight gain and loss distorts the skin, and avoid unhealthy habits, like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Taking these steps will preserve the collagen and elastin in your skin.
• Photorejuvenation can be performed on multiple areas of the body. Though the IPL photofacial is most frequently used for facial rejuvenation, it can also renew the neck, upper chest, shoulders, hands, arms, and legs. If you have signs of sun damage on multiple parts of your body, treating them all with intense pulsed light may give you a more uniformly youthful look. When you visit Faces for a consultation, our specialists will let you know whether or not this approach is right for you.
• The IPL photo facial pairs well with other non-surgical treatments. The gentle lifting and revitalizing action of the IPL photo facial can be complemented with other non-surgical procedures, especially injectables like BOTOX® and dermal fillers. BOTOX® can reduce wrinkles in areas photo facials can’t treat, like the region around the eyes. Dermal fillers enhance the lifting effect of IPL therapy by replacing facial volume lost with age. These compounds can also fill in deep creases that skin resurfacing alone doesn’t alleviate.
• IPL treatment offers deep rejuvenation with very little downtime. The IPL photo facial is powerful enough to access the deeper layers of the dermis but gentle enough not to cause excessive swelling, redness, or lasting irritation. The pulses of light emitted during IPL therapy are less concentrated than a laser beam, so IPL treatment is much less risky than laser skin resurfacing. Most people with a photo facial can apply makeup immediately after their appointment and return to work within 24 to 48 hours. If any side effects occur after this procedure, they’re usually limited to very mild redness and skin sensitivity. This lack of downtime makes phot rejuvenation an appealing alternative to deep chemical peels, which can produce symptoms of redness and flaking for up to two weeks.
• Photo rejuvenation is quick and convenient. IPL treatments typically take under half an hour, so you can easily schedule your procedure around other commitments. Most patients experience mild discomfort during the treatment- similar to being popped with a rubber band. Some individuals will benefit from a topical numbing cream for more sensitive areas. Three to six quick treatments, spaced one month apart, create beautiful results for most people.
• The IPL photofacial is very affordable. Though the cost of the IPL photo facial varies depending on your location and how experienced your care provider is, this procedure is one of the most affordable skin rejuvenation methods. The photofacial costs less than other laser treatments while being safer and more convenient. An IPL treatment can cost as little as $399, whereas laser skin resurfacing usually costs about $2000- $3000.
• Intense pulsed light can remove unwanted hair. People with lighter skin and dark hair can use intense pulsed light to eliminate unwanted face and body hair painlessly. Like laser hair removal, IPL can quickly remove hair from large areas. IPL hair removal targets the melanin in hair follicles, causing hair shafts to heat up. This heat damages targeted hair follicles, preventing hair growth.

Are There Any Downsides to Photo rejuvenation?

Though the IPL photo facial’s ability to target melanin is useful for many applications, it presents a challenge for tanned patients and those with naturally dark skin. Light therapies can cause skin lightening or hyperpigmentation when applied to darker skin. Patients with tanned skin, dark skin, or melasma should consider having a chemical peel instead of photo rejuvenation. If you’re concerned about the downtime associated with chemical peels, our specialists can use a mild peel formula to ensure rapid, painless healing.

People with certain skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis, may not be good candidates for intense pulsed light therapy. Patients with these conditions should choose skin treatments that won’t cause inflammation, like our comprehensive facial. IPL treatment is not recommended for use on pregnant women or people with chronic health conditions.

Finally, if you’re interested in hair removal, you should know that hair removed with IPL may grow back faster than hair removed with a targeted laser. However, IPL hair removal produces little pain or irritation during treatment, so it remains an appealing option for pain-sensitive patients. IPL treatments can also be safely repeated (as necessary) to keep unwanted hair growth at bay.

Talk to Us About Photo Rejuvenation

An IPL photo facial can give you your glow back – without significant discomfort, downtime, or expense.