IPL

As the population ages, an ever-increasing number of people are interested in improving the appearance of their sun damaged skin. IPL photofacial can be used to help restore the skin’s youthful appearance.

IPL technology improves the appearance of photo-aged skin, removes age spots (sun-induced freckles), most benign brown pigments, and redness caused by broken capillaries through a process called photorejuvenation for the face and body. The process is ideal for patients with active lifestyles because the procedure requires minimal downtime and has a low risk of side effects.

The gentle, non-ablative treatments use broad spectrum light to treat the face, chest, neck and hands—virtually anywhere that sun damage shows.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF IPL?

IPL treatments are great for treating a variety of skin conditions. The benefits include:

• Removes or reduces broken capillaries on the face or around the nose
• Reduces redness from rosacea
• Minimal downtime

HOW DOES IPL WORK?

A broad spectrum of light is transmitted through a small, smooth, transparent handpiece which is gently placed over the skin. Cut-off filters in the handpiece change the wavelength range allowing it to be optimized for differentapplications and skin types. The light penetrates the tissue and is absorbed by either the blood when treating vascular lesions or the melanin when treating pigmented lesions and damages them. The body’s natural processes then removes the injured tissue giving the skin a more even and youthful appearance.

IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation often consists of a full-face treatment or treatment of isolated body areas like the hands or chest. It can treat a variety of skin conditions, including:

• Spider veins (broken capillaries around the nose)
• Age spots
• Brown spots
• Sun spots
• Freckles
• Rosacea
• Birthmarks
• Hyperpigmentation
• Port wine stains
• Blood vessels
• Skin texture
• Seborrheic keratoses

What is IPL?

Intense Pulsed Light, also known as IPL or photofacial, is a skin laser treatment that delivers high-intensity pulses of light that penetrate the skin and heat the sub-surface layers to reduce melanin, the dark pigment in skin, or hemoglobin, the red blood cells in blood vessels. This results in healthier, smoother skin.

How many IPL treatments will I need?

The number of IPL treatments you need will depend on the condition of your skin and your desired results. Generally, patients need a series of 3-6 treatments, 4-8 weeks apart.

How long do IPL treatments sessions take?

Treatments generally last about 30-45 minutes. The amount of time the session takes will depend on the size and the number of areas you are having treated.

Do IPL treatments hurt?

We can apply a topical numbing cream before the treatment to reduce the pain. Additionally, a cooling gel is applied to the skin’s surface to eliminate discomfort. Many patients say the laser feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin.

What can I expect after an IPL treatment?

There is practically no recovery time after an IPL photofacial treatment. You can return to work or your normal daily activities the same day as your treatment. If your skin is red after the treatment, you can apply makeup to cover it up. IPL is a great treatment if you don’t want a lot of time to spare after the procedure.

How long do IPL results last?

The results of IPL are long lasting. During your consultation, our doctors will discuss a proper skin care regimen with you so that you can maintain your results for as long as possible. The better you take care of your skin, the longer your IPL results will last. Many patients come back after a few years for touchup treatments to rejuvenate their skin. I

What are the side effects of IPL?

IPL has a strong track record for safety. Although, a few mild side effects include swelling, redness or discomfort for a few hours following the treatment.

How much does IPL cost?

The cost of IPL photofacial treatments is different for each patient. The cost of your treatment will depend on the condition of you are trying to correct, the size of the area being treated and your desired results. During a consultation, Dr. Groff will develop a personalized IPL treatment plan, including cost.