
What is IPL
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology is a treatment breakthrough that can help Orange County patients correct a variety of skin conditions such as facial skin imperfections, the signs of aging, unsightly small veins, Rosacea, uneven pigmentation and can improve skin texture and other blemishes.
IPL offers a safe, gently and non-invasive cosmetic dermatological solution that can be tailored to your individual condition and skin type, providing superior cosmetic results and outstanding satisfaction. This procedure is also referred to as photo-rejuvenation, fotofacial or photofacial.
How Does the IPL Work?
Pulses of a specific type of light (mostly infrared) are applied to the skin. This light is then absorbed by the skin creating warmth. Irregularities such as pigment marks, small veins or clusters of veins will naturally absorb more light. The brown and red pigmented cells in the skin then become much warmer than the healthy surrounding skin tissue. This heat process causes these cells to be reabsorbed by the body, in time fading away.
The effect of heating the skin and the deeper layers of collagen is that the skin will also be stimulated to function more efficiently, therefore producing a firmer, fresher complexion, reducing pore size and evening out skin texture, tone and color.
What Skin Problems Will IPL Improve?
Intense Pulsed Light can be used on any part of the face and body, including the hands, chest, back and arms. Sun damage occurs on all areas. Because IPL is not a laser, it is suitable for use on Orange County patients whose skin has irregular texture or color. Particular pigmentation conditions of the face may call for a different treatment program such as Cosmelan for melasma or Mixto Laser Resurfacing for more intensive combination skin issues.
Expected Results of Your IPL Treatments:
Elimination or reduction of small capillaries or redness (from sun damage or Rosacea)
Elimination or reduction of pigmentation and discoloration
Improved firmness to the skin
Reduction in pore size
Reduction of fine lines
General improvement of texture and tone of the skin
Treatment is usually recommended as a series of 3 to 6 procedures (depending on your skin condition) approximately 3 or 4 weeks apart. Each treatment takes about 30 minutes.
Why Are Multiple Treatments Necessary?
By dividing the program into several treatments, the procedure provides gradual improvement with very low risk. There is also very little and often no ‘down time’ compared with the recovery time needed after other types of laser treatments. IPL is a light treatment and not a laser.
How Long Will the Results Last?
After completing the recommended treatment course we find that for prominent veins and pigments the results are often permanent – provided you maintain a program of skin care that protects from UV exposure. The more subtle rejuvenating results are very long lasting, however, anyone wishing to obtain the optimum result longer term may wish to have 1 or 2 IPL treatments each year.
What Does an IPL Treatment Feel Like?
A cold gel is applied to the area to be treated. Then, the smooth glass surface of the handpiece (the ‘chill tip’) is placed onto the gel about 1mm off the skin and the pulses of light are applied. You may feel a slight sting, like the snapping of a small elastic band. A mild warm tingling sensation may remain for 1 hour or more after the treatment where a cool pack or other cooling preparation may be used to provide relief. Most Orange County patients find they can apply make-up almost immediately after treatment.
Can I Have Other Treatments If I Am Having IPL?
This will depend on the type of treatment you are thinking of having and the overall results you wish to obtain. You will be advised during your consultation which combination of treatments will give you ideal results. Often Orange County patients include other types of treatments along with IPL treatments to achieve the desirable overall results.
An example of a multi-treatment program might be IPL for sun damage, BOTOX® Cosmetic for dynamic wrinkles and JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel or Restylane for wrinkle correction. There are vast arrays of customizable procedure packages that can provide simple to very comprehensive improvements in your appearance.