We’ve all had those moments where we looked in the mirror and realized we’re getting old. You may have felt like Jamie Lee Curtis in Freaky Friday when she (Lindsay Lohan) looks in the mirror and says, “I’m old!” Sometimes it just sneaks up on us, but not to worry, thanks to advances in medical aesthetics, there are now several ways to turn back the hands of time – one of which is IPL skin rejuvenation. But what exactly is this treatment, and how does it work? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) skin rejuvenation.
What Is IPL Skin Rejuvenation?
IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy is a non-invasive, minimally-aggressive treatment that uses different wavelength light pulses to target specific concerns like age spots, sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, and even acne.
How Does IPL Work?
IPL skin rejuvenation is a cosmetic procedure that uses intense pulses of light to improve the appearance of aging skin. The light energy is absorbed by specific target cells in the skin. This process produces new collagen-producing skin cells, which helps improve skin texture and leads to smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking skin.
Benefits of IPL Skin Rejuvenation
IPL skin rejuvenation is a popular treatment because it offers many benefits with minimal side effects. Some of the benefits of IPL therapy include
- Minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedure
- Safe and effective
- No downtime required
- Minimal side effects
Candidates for IPL Treatment
IPL is used to treat a range of skin issues, including:
- Sun damaged skin
- Age spots
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone
- Acne scars
- Broken capillaries
- Spider veins
The effectiveness of IPL skin rejuvenation treatments can vary depending on the individual’s skin type and desired results. IPL is most effective on individuals with light to light brown skin tones who are looking to improve the appearance of sun damage, age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.
If you have darker skin, you may not be a good candidate as there is a risk of pigment changes. If you have sensitive skin or any active skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis, you may not be a good candidate for IPL treatment. It’s important to talk to your therapist about all of your medical concerns prior to beginning any type of skin treatments. IPL is not recommended for pregnant women.
Side Effects of IPL Skin Rejuvenation
IPL skin rejuvenation is a safe and effective treatment. The most common side effects include temporary redness, swelling, and bruising but these typically resolve within a few days after treatment. More rare side effects can include blistering and changes in skin color.
IPL vs. Laser Therapy
IPL skin rejuvenation and laser skin resurfacing are two popular skin rejuvenation treatments. Both treatments use light energy to improve the appearance of the skin, but there are some key differences between the two treatments.
IPL therapy uses a broad spectrum of light energy to target specific concerns like age spots, sun damage, and fine lines and wrinkles. Intense pulsed light can treat a larger area of skin more quickly than laser therapy.
Laser therapy uses a single wavelength of light energy to target specific concerns like acne scars or deep wrinkles. Laser treatments can be more precise than IPL, but it can take longer to treat larger areas of skin. Laser therapy is used in treatments such as laser hair removal because it can target specific areas of the skin with high precision.
The IPL Procedure
Prior to treatment, your skin will be cleansed and a cool gel will be applied to help protect the skin. You will be given dark glasses to protect your eyes. Your therapist will use a hand-held IPL device to deliver the light pulses to the treatment area. You may feel a slight snapping or stinging sensation during the treatment, but this is generally well tolerated.
Most IPL treatments take 30-60 minutes to complete, depending on the size and number of areas being treated. After treatment, the gel will be removed, and your skin may be cooled with ice packs. It’s important to avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds, and it is recommended to wear sunscreen to help protect the treatment area.
You may experience mild redness in the treated area, but this typically resolves within a few hours. More aggressive treatments may result in bruising, which can take a few days to resolve.
You will need more than one treatment to achieve optimal results; however, you will notice significant improvements after just one treatment. The number of treatments will be determined by your therapist based on your individual needs, but most people require 3-5 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart for optimal results.
Facial Rejuvenation in Rochester, NY
Intense pulsed light therapy is an effective, pain-free therapy that can give you the smooth skin you had in your younger years. To learn more about this procedure, contact Health Expressions at (301) 244-4717 or complete the online booking form. We also offer other cosmetic treatments such as laser hair removal, and Tempsure Envi. We look forward to helping you look and feel young again!