Intense Pulse Light (IPL)

Intense pulse light or IPL is a laser treatment that is used to treat skin conditions and remove signs of photoaging like uneven texture, spots, and wrinkles. As one of the most popular non-invasive treatment options out there, it’s no wonder that more and more patients keep coming back for more.

How Many IPL Treatments Will I Need?

Depending on your skin type and your concerns, we usually recommend that patients undergo a series of five treatments that are spaced about four weeks apart. In some instances, we may recommend some additional sessions but we will go over all of that in detail during your initial consultation.

How Long Does Each Session Take?

On average, each session takes about 30-60 minutes but that can vary from patient to patient.

Is IPL Right For Me?

The best way for you to determine whether or not IPL is right for you is by scheduling a consultation with our office. During your consultation we will go over your skin concerns and discuss the different treatment options that you have available to you including IPL.

Does IPL Work On All Skin Types?

Lighter skinned people who don’t use self-tanning products or who do not have a history of excessive tanning respond better to IPL than other patients. However, we will be able to give you a more definitive answer during your consultation.

How Does IPL Work?

IPL works in a similar way that laser works. But how? Like with laser, IPL uses energy that is absorbed into the targeted cells in the skin that have pigmentation. Specifically, when the light energy comes in contact with the skin, it turns into heat energy which causes damage to specific areas of the skin like sun spots or age spots. Once these areas are heated up, the skin responds by creating newer healthier skin in the process.

What Can IPL Treat?

One of the many unique benefits of IPL is that it can be used to treat a variety of different skin concerns including:

Rosacea
Facial flushing
Red chests and necks
Brown spots
Sun damage
Enlarged pores
Spider veins

What Is Recovery Like?

Typically, the treated areas will be pinkish red with slight swelling. The redness and swelling usually disipates within 24 hours of the treatment depending on the depth being treated. With deeper treatments, swelling and redness may last up to ten days, with the swelling being the worst the morning after treatment. This will subside more each day. Sun spots, age spots, and blemishes will begin to come to the surface of the skin, sometimes looking like coffee grounds. These spots will naturally flake off over the next few days. You may also experience some peeling.

Clients can usually return back to their normal routines within 48 hours. We recommend letting your skin rest 12 hours before applying makeup. Wait 48 hours for saunas, hot steamy showers or baths, strenuous activity or exercise. Avoid any unprotected sun exposure for 30 days.

Are There Side Effects of IPL?

Usually there are no side effects of IPL but some patients may appear to have a sunburn and/ or swelling for a few hours up to ten days after treatment. Other rare side effects of IPL include blistering, unwanted changes in pigmentation, scarring, and infection.

Is IPL Expensive

Depending on the provider that you end up going with, it will determine how expensive it is going to be. Overall, IPL is more affordable than some other treatments.

To learn more about IPL and whether or not it’s a good treatment for you, schedule a consultation appointment at our office today and we will get you taken care of.

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Acne Scars

Acne is a common condition that causes blocked pores, pimples, cysts and other lesions on the skin. While it is most common in teenagers, acne can affect people of all ages, most often appearing on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms.

Age Spots

Age spots, also known as brown spots, liver spots and solar lentigines, are a common sign of aging. Flat, oval areas of pigmentation, age spots tend to appear on parts of the body, such as the face, hands, arms, shoulders and feet, that are exposed to the sun. Most common in people older than 40, they can be freckle-sized or more than a half-inch in length, and range in color from light brown to black. When age spots are grouped together, they appear even larger.

Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Wrinkles and fine lines, an inevitable part of aging, can make a person look old, sad, angry or tired. To look younger and/or more refreshed, many people who have wrinkles and fine lines seek treatment. Fortunately, there are countless options, including creams, dermal fillers, peels, laser treatments and surgery, for improving the look of the skin.

Laser Treatment for Acne

Acne can cause inflammation and swelling which is due in part to bacteria that builds up within the clogged sebaceous glands. A current acne treatment option includes laser treatment that kills this bacteria by exposing the skin to different types of light. The acne bacteria can also be killed with pulsed light and heat energy. These treatments help to shrink the sebaceous glands, which decreases oil production. The laser light is absorbed by water underneath the skin, shrinking oil glands and eliminating acne.

Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Laser skin rejuvenation is designed to improve the skin's appearance by treating wrinkles, sun damage, sagging skin, brown spots, spider veins and more. Laser skin rejuvenation has a number of advantages over other resurfacing procedures, including chemical peels and microdermabrasion, in that it significantly reduces or eliminates side effects such as discomfort, bleeding and bruising. Different types of laser treatments are used to treat different skin conditions. Common types of laser treatments include intense pulsed-light (IPL) skin rejuvenation; photodynamic therapy (PDT); nonablative laser rejuvenation; and ablative laser resurfacing.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Modern technology provides a variety of successful laser resurfacing treatments for improving the condition of the skin. Laser skin treatments employ focused beams of light energy to counteract the effects on the skin of acne, aging, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, scars, or poor nutrition. Resurfacing laser treatments are safe and efficient, requiring little downtime to provide effective results.

Laser Skin Tightening

Laser skin tightening is a noninvasive procedure designed to reverse signs of aging on the skin. It can be used on all areas of the face and body, but is typically used on the face and neck. It works by heating the underlying layers of skin to stimulate collagen production, which, in turn, causes the skin to look fuller and tighter. Wrinkles, fine lines, lax skin and other signs of aging are minimized, and skin looks healthier and more youthful.

Laser Pigment Removal

Lasers are an effective tool that can be used for pigment removal in patients with a wide range of different skin types. Lasers are a treatment option often used to remove unwanted tattoos or permanent makeup, or to treat discolorations of the skin such as:

Laser Treatment of Spider Veins

Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are small, thin blood vessels visible beneath the skin. They appear most commonly on the face and legs, and may look like a series of lines, tree branches or spider webs. Spider veins are caused by a variety of factors, including heredity, pregnancy and weight gain. Some people experience painful symptoms such as aching, burning, swelling and cramping from spider veins, while others are simply bothered by their appearance.

Sun Damage

Long term and repeated exposure to sunlight, especially ultraviolet light, can cause a variety of cosmetic and medical problems related to the skin, commonly referred to as sun damage. Sun damage can affect any area of the skin as a result of excessive exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Sun damage most commonly occurs on the face, hands and arms, and may lead to sun spots, age spots, rough skin and wrinkles. Years of sun exposure can also lead to premature aging and skin cancer. Some individuals may notice skin lesions that are a form of actinic keratosis, which is is a precancerous skin condition that develops from years of sun exposure.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a common, chronic skin condition that affects up to 10 percent of the population, although many people are unaware that they have it. It usually affects the face, causing redness and the formation of small, pus-filled bumps similar to acne, and, like other skin conditions, can cause emotional distress for the sufferer. Rosacea typically affects fair-skinned women between 30 and 60 years of age. It can first appear during menopause, and is more prevalent in people with a family history of the condition. Although rosacea is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, there are several treatments available to relieve its symptoms and prevent flareups.

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