Did you spend your care-free childhood days soaking up the sun, only to discover unsightly sun spots aging you prematurely as an adult? Perhaps you struggle with acne scars or hormonal imbalance getting in between you and healthy, glowing skin.
Whatever is causing excessive brown pigmentation, we have a potential solution. It is called Intense Pulse Light (IPL) and it is a treatment that may help you clear up all of those blemishes and other unwanted signs of years past.
Here’s everything you want to know about the IPL process.
What Is IPL?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a treatment for brown spots, redness, age spots, broken blood vessels, and rosacea.
IPL is a non-invasive process that uses intense, broadband pulses of light to target skin discoloration without causing damage to surrounding skin. This broad-spectrum light heats and destroys brown spots, melasma, broken capillaries, and sun spots to visibly reduce the signs of aging.
How Does IPL Work?
During our early 30s, we start to lose production of collagen and elastin and our cell turnover begins to decline. This makes it more difficult for skin to recover from inflammation and injury (i.e sun and hormone damage) and we begin to notice fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, etc.
IPL uses broadband light to target a particular pigment in your skin. As the light energy is absorbed by the pigment cells, it is converted into heat and this process destroys and removes unwanted pigments in the skin. One interesting feature of this process is that IPL penetrates to the second layer of skin without damaging the top layer, so it can improve scarring, wrinkles or colorization without damaging nearby cells.
The IPL Treatment Process
Before your IPL treatment, one of our expert skin care specialists will examine your skin to discuss a tailored approach to meet your needs.
During the procedure, a specialist will clean the area being treated and then apply a cool gel. You will be instructed to lie in a relaxed, comfortable position and we will provide dark glasses to protect your eyes. Then the IPL device is gently applied to the skin and the pulses begin.
The procedure often takes less than 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated. Most people consider it mildly uncomfortable and not painful; many say it is less painful than a bikini wax.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
Most people have a series between three to six treatments; however, each person will receive a personal recommendation based on their desired goals and skin condition.
Are There Side Effects?
Some people experience mild redness or swelling after the process, but these are temporary issues that resolve quickly.
In rare occasions, people have experienced:
bruising
blistering
change in skin color
infection
Benefits of IPL
Thankfully, IPL is fast and has virtually no down time. That means people start to see more even and bright skin tone after just one treatment. Even when treating sun spots, many people report decreased facial wrinkling and smoother, finer skin after multiple treatments. That’s the added benefit of the collagen stimulation with IPL.
Who Can Benefit From IPL?
Any prospective patient that has excess brown pigment, whether it’s the result of years of sun exposure, hormonal imbalance, acne scars or even ingrown hairs. It works particularly well on fair-skinned patients.
I’m Ready To Start, What’s Next?
To book a reservation at our medical spa, click here to book online or call now at 615.814.4999.
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