IPL

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

What is IPL?

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a cosmetic skin treatment. People may use it to reduce the signs of aging, pigmentation, vasculature, reduce acne, or remove unwanted hair. An IPL treatment uses the power of broadband light to deliver pulses of intense light to penetrate the layers of the skin. Most patients describe the experience as a fast, pinching sensation during treatment, with minimal discomfort. There is no need for injections or incisions, giving patients the bonus of no downtime required.

What is unique about IPL?

Unlike lasers, an IPL device sends out more than one wavelength of pulsating light. It can treat a range of skin conditions at the same time. After IPL, you may look younger because your skin tone is more even. While lasers use a set wavelength depending on the procedure, IPL therapy uses multiple different wavelengths of light released in pulses. You can think of it as a strobe light passing along the skin. IPL isn’t a focused beam like a laser. It instead is dispersed beams o fight that work together. As the light penetrates down to the second layer of skin, it allows the cells to absorb its energy, heat up, and eventually destroys the pigmentation within the cell. This is how age spots, other discoloring blemishes, moles, birthmarks, and rosacea are diminished.

What are some indications for IPL?

Skin tone, wrinkles, photoaging, skin rejuvenation, photo-facials, sun damaged skin, uneven pigmentation, scars, spider veins, vascular lesions, rosacea, acne, and hair reduction.

How does it work?

IPL works on the same principles as laser in that light energy is absorbed by targeted cells (chromospheres) with color in the skin. The light energy is converted to heat energy, which causes damage to the specific target areas. IPL systems are different to lasers in that they deliver many wavelengths (or colors) in each pulse of light instead of just one wavelength. This technology use filters to refine the energy output for the treatment of certain areas. This enhances penetration without using excessive energy levels and enables targeting of specific chromophores (skin components that absorb light). The light heats cells in the skin and breaks them down. The body then removes the damaged tissue naturally.

Does it help anti-aging/ stimulate collagen?

IPL will stimulate collage growth by treating a deeper layer of skin, while improving texture, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How does it feel?

During the procedure, people may feel a pinching sensation. Some individuals have described this as a feeling similar to an elastic band being “snapped” on the skin. Sensation is moderate and very tolerable.

How long does a treatment take?

Average treatment takes 30-45 minutes.

What to expect?

Your skin may be temperature sensitive for several days after treatment. Brown spots and freckles will appear darker while healing.

It should take 4-6 weeks to see the full results and 3 treatments may be required to achieve an optimum result.

The sessions are designed to provide no downtime. However, occasionally you may find that your cheeks and under eye areas are slightly puffy after treatment. You may use cold compresses (5 minutes on and 10 minutes off) several times an hour to help ease redness and swelling.

Sleeping with your head elevated for the first night will also help decrease any swelling you may experience.

Redness around the treated area for a few hours to days.

Freckles and age spots may darken for 3-7 days before starting to fade.

Skin flaking for up to 10 days.

Minor bruising that may last 2 weeks or less

** ALASTIN SKIN NECTAR HEALING COMPLEX is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED PRE AND POST PROCEDURE** This is available for purchase at the office, and will treatment will be explained at the time of purchase.

WHAT TO AVOID AFTER IPL?

No hot showers for 48 hours
For 2 days after a treatment, avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, drinking alcohol, heavy exertion, and activities which may cause skin flushing.

Avoid harsh topical products such as retinols and glycolic acid products for 1 week after each session.

Avoid direct sunlight on the treated area and use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater for 4-6 weeks after treatment.

No swimming for a week, especially in pools with chemicals such as chlorine.

No strenuous exercise for 48 hours. You can hit the gym after 2 days post treatment.

No hot tubs or saunas for 48 hours

Avoid activities that cause excessive perspiration for 24 hours

Do not pick at or remove any loosening or peeling skin.

No electrolysis, facial waxing, or depilatories (hair removal products) for 14 days after treatment.

BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

It is imperative that you avoid significant sun exposure and tanning beds for at least 4 weeks prior to your treatment.

Avoid applying self tanner for 2 weeks prior to your treatment.

Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen/NSAIDS for 1 week prior to your treatment. Inform the practitioner if you are taking blood thinners or regularly take aspirin or NSAIDS.

Inform the practitioner if you have taken Accutane (oral acne medication) in the past year.

PRE TREATMENT, DAY OF APPOINTMENT

If possible, arrive without creams or make up on the treatment area.

Allow 45 minutes for your appointment.

Pretreatment pictures will be taken and before each treatment.

Just prior to treatment, you will be given eye shields or glasses to wear to protect your eyes.

POST TREATMENT

Mild cleansers and Alastin Skin Nectar are highly recommended. These are available for purchase at the office.

Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, NSAIDS, alcohol, heavy exertion, and activities which may cause flushing for 2 days after treatment.

Avoid harsh topical products such as retinols and glycolic acid products for 1 week after.

Avoid direct sunlight on the treated area and use a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher for 4-6 weeks after your treatment.

Anticipate some social downtime following your treatment.

WILL I NEED TO TAKE TIME OFF?

The short answer is no. Healing after an IPL treatment varies with the patient although in most cases takes less than a week and as little as a few hours to days. Immediately after the treatment you may notice some minor redness and swelling, similar to that of a sunburn. Ice packs or a cool washcloth can be used as needed. If treating freckles and other dark spots, you may experience dryness and flaking of the treated area. Some of the spots may appear darker, but they should slough off within a few days. You can apply makeup (Jane Iredale Mineral makeup is recommended) immediately after IPL treatment if desired. Avoid heavy exertion and activities which may cause flushing of the skin for 3 days after treatment. Alastin SKIN NECTAR is highly recommended to speed up the healing process. This is available for purchase in the office.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS? HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?

Pigment

It will take 4-6 weeks to see the full results from a single treatment, however, you should see dark spots fade and sough off within a week. If you complete a series of treatments about 4-6 weeks apart, the maximum results will be visible in 2-3 months after the last treatment.

Veins

The results of the IPL begin to appear right after treatment and continue to improve over the next few days to weeks. It does take some time for veins to fully collapse and be reabsorbed by the body, so full results cannot be seen right away. If symptoms accompanied the spider veins, they are usually relived immediately after treatment.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

Depending on the indication of treatment, for best IPL results it is generally recommended that patients receive on average 3-4 treatments scheduled 4-6 weeks apart.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

Mild complications of IPL include: redness, swelling, light bruising, itching, peeling, and scabbing

HOW MUCH CAN A PROCEDURE COST?

Cost depends on the area treated. Face cost is $350