PhotoFacial (IPL) – Sun Damage Treatment
As we age, our skin shows the effects of damage from the sun, lifestyle factors, and the wear-and-tear of daily life. IPL (intense pulse light), also known as a photofacial, is a popular, non-invasive treatment used in skin rejuvenation to provide sun damage treatment in Scottsdale and improve many skin conditions. It provides the ideal answer for patients with active lifestyles as the procedure requires no downtime.
WHAT IS PHOTOFACIAL (IPL)?
IPL skin rejuvenation works on the ‘Theory of Photothermolysis’. With each pulse of light energy, heat is emitted to the target area (e.g blood vessels in the case of vascular lesions, or melanin in the case of pigmented lesions). This heat damages the target cells while leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. These damaged cells move towards the surface of the skin and slough off (in the case of pigmented blemishes) or are then gradually reabsorbed by the body (in the case of deeper vascular lesions.)
In addition to removing specific skin lesions, the body’s natural healing process is stimulated causing an increase in collagen and elastin production thereby improving the skin’s elasticity, skin thickness, wrinkle reduction, and smoothness.
Before & After **
*Results may vary
Will PhotoFacial Help in Sun Damage Treatment?
Sun damage treatment using Photofacial (IPL) reduces discoloration. The sun damage causes skin discoloration, and these spots are in the surface of the skin and make it look old. IPL destroys the sun spots and reduces the discolorations and make the skin tone more even and bright.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BE TREATED AND HOW WILL THEY BE TREATED?
IPL will remove or reduce the appearance of the following conditions: **
- Brown Freckles Pigmentation
- Age Spots
- Sun damaged spots
- Prematurely aged or sun damaged skin
- Rosacea, broken capillaries, spider veins
- Acne : The IPL also destroys the most common bacteria that cause acne — without drugs, without pain and without downtime.
WHY CHOOSE TRUE MED SPA FOR IPL?
Not all IPL skin rejuvenation machines are the same. IPL treatments at True Med Spa differ in power, spot size, wavelength, speed, contact cooling, pulse width and numerous other factors affecting the outcome. We utilize the next phase of IPL technology – Advance Fluorescence Technology (AFT™). AFT is a unique filtering system which enhances penetration without using excessive energy levels, thus protecting the epidermis (top layer of the skin), resulting in safer and more effective clinical outcomes for acne clearance, skin rejuvenation, thread veins and pigmented lesions.
WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED?
Most body areas e.g. face, neck, chest/décolleté, hands and legs.
PREPARING FOR THE TREATMENT
Your visit at True Med Spa will begin with a thorough skin analysis with Visia Complexion Analysis by one of licensed and certified medical skin experts. This will give you a scientific approach to your skin conditions by giving you numerical scores on the following possible areas of your concerns such as wrinkles, sun damages, brown spots, texture issues, pores and rosacea. Based on this detailed analysis, we are able to customize your treatments and medical grade skin homecare regime to meet or exceed your skin health and aesthetic goals.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE RECOMMENDED?
A series of 3-5 treatments every 3-4 weeks interval is recommended depending on the severity and extent of the condition.**
HOW QUICKLY WILL I SEE A RESULT?
In most cases, IPL has very little or no ‘down time’‘, which means you may be treated during your lunch break with almost no visible evidence of treatment. Immediately after the treatment you may experience a mild warmth/tingling sensation which usually subsides after an hour or two. Make-up can be applied after the treatment.
WHO IS NOT SUITABLE FOR TREATMENT?
Tanning – Patients should not expose their skin to UV light or apply self tanning products prior to IPL treatment. If they do have a tan they should wait at least 2 weeks after their last UV exposure to ensure there is no residual activity in the pigment producing cells. A commitment to stay out of the sun is necessary because treating tanned skin increases the possibility of side-effects, such as pigmentation.
Pregnancy: Pregnant patients should not have IPL treatment because of the hormonal and pigmentary changes that occur during pregnancy.
Medication: Patients who are using Accutane must have finished this medication 6 months prior to beginning IPL treatment. Patients taking photo-sensitizing medication such as anti-biotics and Ratinol or retinoid acid should avoid IPL treatment for at least 2 weeks prior to the treatment.
Other: Patients with severe dermatitis or eczema (within the treatment area), those with very dark skin types or those with a history of seizures are also not suitable for IPL treatment.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IPL AND LASER TREATMENT?
Unlike Laser machines, which emit a single narrow wavelength of light (or color), Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology delivers hundreds of wavelengths of light (or color). These different wavelengths/ light color are selectively absorbed by different tissue allowing a multitude of skin conditions to be treated with IPL technology.
For more information or to set up an appointment please contact us at (480)725-4845.