IPL and BBL FAQ
Photo Facial
Photo Facial / IPL FAQs
What is IPL?
IPL is intense pulsed light, also referred to as Photo or Skin Rejuvenation, Photo Facial and Photo Facial. These are all essentially one and the same – laser treatments applied to your skin to achieve correction of redness, irregular pigmentation, sun damage, broken blood vessels, age spots, and coarse or rough skin.
What does IPL or a Photo Facial do?
A Photo Facial provides gradual, but noticeable, results in a gentle, non-invasive, virtually pain-free series of 3-6 treatments. There is no “down time” or interference with active lifestyles. Most patients have a dramatic decrease in fine lines and wrinkles, brown spots, sun damage, pigmented spots, (pigment of the cheeks and forehead often associated with hormonal changes such as pregnancy) and age spots. Patients also realize decreased pore size, improved skin tone, and better skin texture.
The absence of downtime, minimal discomfort, ease of treatments and high degree of patient satisfaction make Photo Facial a popular alternative to other cosmetic procedures.
Is it painful?
Most patients are very comfortable during their treatments. A Photo Facial treatment feels like the snapping of a small rubber band. We offer a topical anesthetic that can numb the area to be treated and minimize any possible discomfort. Each person’s level of discomfort will vary.
How long will the results of the treatments last?
You can expect long-term results. Photo Facial treatments are working to reverse the signs of aging caused by the sun and other factors. During treatments and after the desired results are achieved, you are responsible for maintaining and taking care of your skin. How you care for your skin, staying out of the sun, wearing sunblock and getting and staying on a good skin care regimen with physician quality products are a necessity to maintain the effects of the treatments. We are not stopping the aging process, but we are working to reduce the damage that has been done to the skin over time.
How long is treatment and recovery time?
Treatments take approximately 30 minutes and patients can continue their normal activities immediately. Redness normally occurs following a treatment. This will subside within 1-2 hours; in a few cases it may last 1-2 days. The reds and browns in the skin may become darker initially and will begin to fade over the next 5-7 days. Some flaking of the treated area may occur, this is normal and expected.
Who are the best candidates for Photo Facial Treatments?
Whether you are a man or a woman, if your skin is showing signs of aging and/or sun damage you are an ideal candidate. Brown spots, age spots, freckles, rosacea, flushing and redness of the skin can find dramatic relief with these treatments. Active people who don’t want to take time off to heal from laser resurfacing or chemical peels will appreciate the “no down time” aspect.
What results can be expected?
Your skin will improve over-all with more even-colored tone, smaller pore size, smooth texture, radiant complexion, and a revitalized appearance.
After your first treatment, your skin will feel smoother and will have more even tone. You can expect to see a gradual decrease in overall redness and flushing from broken capillaries, as well as a decrease in fine wrinkles, a reduction in pore size and fading of sunspots. Improvements are gradual and become more visible after each treatment; three to five treatments are advised.
What is a Photo Facial Treatment like?
Each treatment takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes and you will be given dark glasses to shield your eyes from the bright light.
During a treatment, the smooth surface of the hand-piece is gently applied to your skin and delivers pulses of light to the area being treated. There may be some mild discomfort, but most patients find the treatments to be pain-free. There is no discomfort after a treatment.
Immediately following a treatment, the skin may appear flushed and tiny capillaries may appear more visible; brown spots generally seem darker. All of these changes fade over a period of hours.
