IPL Photofacials

*Video courtesy of Dr. Sidhu

What is the IPL Photofacial?

The IPL Photofacial treatment is a revolutionary way to rejuvenate the skin by using intense pulsed light to target areas of concern. IPL serves as a superior non-invasive treatment to help with anti-aging and improve the color and texture of skin.

The use of intense pulsed light with various wavelengths can stimulate collagen production in the skin and improve blood vessels activity. When appropriately applied, the results of IPL Photofacials are long-lasting and enhance the skin's appearance treating wrinkles, fine lines, brown spots, redness, sun damage, and rough texture.

IPL Photofacials have minimal discomfort; some patients experience slight tingling or warmth during their sessions. There is minimal downtime, allowing patients to continue with their normal activities after each treatment. The most common side effect associated with IPL is redness in the treated area, which usually subsides within 48 hours of the procedure.

IPL Photofacial benefits

Undoubtedly one of the most appealing benefits of an IPL Photofacial treatment is that your complexion will become more even and brighter. But its benefits don’t stop there, because this treatment can also:

• Even out skin color & tone
• Improve facial contour
• Improve appearance of redness from acne
• Diminish age spots (skin discoloration)
• Stimulate collagen production
• Help combat flushing and generalized redness

Procedure explained

The IPL treatment is an excellent way of using pulsed light to revitalize the skin. It works by targeting melanin, which is a significant component of the epidermis and hair follicles in the human body. It emits various wavelengths of light that penetrate deep into these structures, which stimulates collagen production in the skin. Skin tone becomes more even, and redness from blemishes diminish.

The IPL-Photofacial treatment is virtually painless and non invasive, making it favorable to people who are hesitant about receiving laser treatments. A minimum of three IPL treatments is recommended for optimal results, but more may be needed depending on the patient’s individual goals and how they respond to the treatments. Treatments are done every four weeks and should be done consecutively for best results. Downtime is minimal with this treatment and patients are free to resume their normal activities.

IPL vs traditional laser

In contrast to a traditional laser, the effect of IPL is not based on the effect of a certain wavelength but works with a whole spectrum of different wavelengths. The light waves emitted by this device are designed to target the hemoglobin, the red blood cells in the blood vessels, or melanin, the brown pigment in freckles and age spots.

The main difference between IPL Photofacials and laser treatments lies in the type of light used. IPL is a non-ablative procedure that uses visible to infrared full spectrum light to treat different skin issues. These treatments are usually safe on skin types 1 through 4 and require minimal downtime.

Unlike the wavelengths emitted from the IPL, laser treatments emit one coherent wavelength. The downtime after a laser treatment varies on the type of laser and treatment,  but can range from 2 to 7+ days. Unlike the IPL, which is only safe for lighter skin types, lasers such as the ND:Yag 1064 and the Pico are safe for all skin types.

IPL Photofacials and laser treatments each have advantages and disadvantages. It's important to consult with us to determine the best treatment option for you.

Who is a good candidate?

The best candidates for IPL skin treatments are people who have skin types I-IV. Those who have a darker complexion are not ideal for this procedure because of their naturally higher levels of melanin. IPL done on darker skin types could cause increased pigmentation (hyperpigmentation) or adverse effects such as burns. IPL may be more beneficial for some people rather than others, so it is imperative to consult with a VIVAA specialist to determine if this treatment is right for you.

Contraindications

• IPL face treatment should not be performed on individuals with certain conditions such as active cold sores, a recent history of herpes or Keloid scarring, lupus, porphyria, or vitiligo.
• Patients who have a heart condition, suffer from MS, or take any medications that affect the central nervous system must not have this treatment.

• Pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
• The treatment is known to increase photosensitivity by 20%, so you must avoid sun exposure for at least 1-week pre-treatment, and 30 days after it.

Remember to inform your aesthetician if you are taking any antibiotics, as they may interfere with your IPL Photofacial results. Moreover, certain phototoxic reactions that are associated with topical medications may be exacerbated by IPL Photofacials.

The recovery

You can expect to see some mild dryness or peeling for one or two weeks due to apoptosis (a natural cell death process) of the surface layer of skin cells, which helps new cells arise from below, resulting in a more refined texture and a brighter complexion.

You should avoid exercising for about 48 hours following your treatment, as strenuous physical activity may cause you to sweat, and the combination of heat, moisture, and loose clothing could potentially inhibit proper healing.

Protect your skin from sunlight (even after your treatment is complete) since this can impact the results of your photofacial or accelerate any pre-existing sun damage. You should wear protective SPF 30+ sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days, as daily exposure to UV radiation is unavoidable without protection.

To achieve the best results from your photofacial treatments, make sure to adhere to the post-treatment instructions your VIVAA esthetician provides you with.

If you have any additional questions or concerns about this topic, don't hesitate to contact us, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

IPL in combination with other treatments

The IPL treatment alone is great for improving the tone and texture of the skin. When combined with other procedures such as PRP microneedling, fractional non-ablative laser facial, or chemical peels, you'll get optimal results. You will achieve further benefits of improved radiance, even skin tone, collagen stimulation and overall facial rejuvenation.

FAQ’s

Do I need to wear sunscreen during the treatment, and for how long after?

It is imperative to use a sunscreen that has a SPF 30+ that has UVA and UVB protection before, during, and after treatments. Sunscreen should be a part of your daily skin care regimen and should be applied in the morning and reapplied every two hours after that for the duration of the daytime.

Will the IPL Photofacial remove or shrink any existing moles?

Moles are not affected by this procedure because they are located deep beneath the surface of your skin, where they will not be affected by the pulsed light energy.

Is redness normal after my IPL treatment?

It is not uncommon to have some redness in the treated areas. This redness usually subsides over the next 48 hours but can linger around for up to one week after each session. If redness persists longer than one week, please consult your doctor because you might have an allergy to the laser, or a laser intensity adjustment is required for future sessions.

How soon will I see the results?

You should start seeing significant results after three sessions, but you may notice some improvement before then.

How many sessions will I need?

Depending on the patient, their current skin condition, unique needs and goals, the number of treatments will vary. A series of three treatments, spaced four weeks apart, is a good starting point for new patients. It is not uncommon to need more than three treatments, and many patients require maintenance treatments (one to two a year).

Patient Review
"Thank you for Exceptional Service! I am so impressed with this medical staff and the Professional ism I experienced in getting my IPL! The staff was knowledgeable friendly and took excellent care of me! I am telling you all this because I have been to other places to get IPLs and this was by far the BEST!! Thank you to Justine and Jordan; great customer service!! And VERY VERY REASONABLE PRICE WITH FANTASTIC RESULTS!!!"
Gracie Mittag