Today the cosmetic industry is not only about vanity and pursuit of perfection. It now offers many other procedures that tout benefits including varicose vein treatments and the shedding of excess weight. Today we know that early skin care is the key to warning off the signs of aging and precancerous areas on the face and body. There are a few non-invasive procedures that can help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation from skin conditions like rosacea, plus remove brown spots from ageing.
One of the more popular cosmetic procedures for treating discolored and aging skin is an IPL photofacial. It’s a popular treatment that can help with many skin discoloration disorders, but are also very popular with celebrities for cosmetic reasons as well. In fact many A-listers get a combination of laser skin tightening and IPL photofacial laser treatments before going to a big show or event. In a recent article, the Victoria Secret models told reporters that it’s not uncommon for them to do a head-to-toe photofacial prior to strutting down the runway.
Photofacial denver is a treatment that is non-invasive and effective and is used to treat acne scars, pre-cancerous sun spots as well as sun-damaged skin. It also reduces the look of wrinkles and fine lines from aging. It’s commonly used to treat areas including the face, neck, hands, arms, feet, legs, chest, back and even the scalp.
During an IPL treatment, a high-powered, hand-held, flashgun is used to deliver an intense, visible, broad-spectrum pulse of light. Filters are commonly used to filter out lower wavelengths, especially potentially damaging ultra violet light. The light that is produced has a spectral range that is attracted to pigment such as pigmentation, age spots, collagen, broken capillaries and elastin. These pigments are heated up until they are destroyed and reabsorbed by the body. IPL‘s are somewhat similar to laser treatments, in that they both use light to heat and destroy pigments. The main difference is that unlike lasers, IPL uses a broad spectrum light that is filtered, allowing it to treat several conditions.
Things to know about IPL Photofacials
The entire photo facial procedure typically takes about 30-minutes and is done by a trained technician in a medical spa or physician’s office. The procedure involves only minimal discomfort, with the majority of people experiencing mild redness and swelling. Results are usually seen gradually in the weeks following treatment. Multiple treatments are necessary to achieve the best results. The price of treatments may differ depending on the region and city, but generally will run you around $450 per area.
IPL treatments are recommended for only some skin types, but are not always recommended for darker skin types or on someone who has a dark tan. People with darker skin tend to absorb more of the light energy, which can cause both safety and efficacy problems. Adverse side effects may include blistering and discoloration. It’s best to find an experienced IPL doctor who knows what filters and settings are safe to treat ethnic or darker skin.