Brighten Your Complexion
IPL or Intense Pulsed Light (often called Photo Rejuvenation) is a safe and effective method for evening out skin tone by lightening pigmented lesions such as age spots and sun damage, along with tiny blood vessels and rosacea. This treatment can be used on the entire upper body, including your face, neck, hands, and arms. You may apply moisturizers, sunscreen, and even make-up immediately following your procedure because IPL doesn’t break the skin or require any downtime.
At our Durango medical spa, we use the Lumine IPL Photofacial laser for this treatment. Also known as Intense Pulsed Light or photorejuvenation–primarily addresses the skin’s tone and texture and reduces the brown pigmentation and redness that create a dull, aged complexion. IPL photofacial is the world’s most popular laser treatment for the face and we see patients from all over Southwest Colorado who want a quick treatment that brightens the skin with no time off work required.
More info about IPL Photofacials
HOW IPL WORKS
IPL is a treatment that delivers pulses of light to the target areas, such as brown pigment and red cells in the skin. This light is converted to heat energy, which fades those specific targets resulting in a more even, brighter complexion with less discoloration. There are many studies in the medical literature demonstrating true, anti-aging benefits. Individuals who have had IPL treatments once or twice a year over a decade have healthier more radiant skin with less skin cancer than those who do not have these treatments. Furthermore, for people who already have sun damage – IPL is a great tool to reverse this damage.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Most patients tolerate the treatment with little discomfort. The sensation can be likened to snapping a rubber band on the skin at times. For sensitive individuals, we can apply a numbing cream before the treatment. Occasionally, patients experience some mild puffiness that typically subsides during the ensuing 12 hours.
Patients may find that their freckles and brown spots are more defined immediately following the treatment as they are drawn to the surface and fade over several days. Repeated treatments result in brighter, younger looking skin that reflects more light – glows!
WHEN TO RESUME NORMAL ACTIVITIES
You may resume your normal activities, including applying makeup, immediately following the procedure.
RESULTS
Over the week following the treatment, the skin takes on a younger, more refreshed look with less pigmentation and fine lines. Brown spots, age spots, and sun damage all begin to fade away.
RECOMMENDED SESSIONS
We recommend 3 initial treatment sessions scheduled at least a month apart. That should be followed up with maintenance sessions every 6 months. These treatments may be paired with microdermabrasion to remove the dead surface layer prior to the IPL treatment. This ensures optimal light absorption.
POSSIBLE DOWNTIME
You may experience possible swelling around the treated area for 12 – 24 hours and enhanced pigmentation resembling coffee grounds that can last up to 10 days
POST TREATMENT CARE
Wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure to reduce recurrence of pigmentation. On day 4, you may do a light exfoliation.