✦ WHAT IS IPL (Intense Pulse Light Therapy) ? ✦
Also known as Photo-facials, IPL treatments work by using light energy to target different forms of color in your skin. Once your skin is heated up to a certain temperature as provided by the laser, the body will get rid of unwanted cells that are being targeted. The IPL machine sends out multiple wavelengths of pulsed light at a time in order to treat your skin conditions and get you looking as good as new! This treatment lasts about 1 hour in total, including pre-post facial treatment care. A hydrating moisturizer with SPF 30+ will be applied at the end of the treatment to ensure you are protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
NOTICE: People who are pregnant, have a skin condition, or take medications for other conditions should ask their doctor first about getting an IPL treatment.
✦ DESIRED OUTCOMES ✦
In order to see the desired results we recommend at least 3 to 6 treatments.
IPL treatments offer a range of positive results for skin conditions, including improving skin tone and texture, reducing hyperpigmentation, and minimizing the appearance of sun damage, age spots, and fine lines.
They can also be effective in treating rosacea, reducing redness, and minimizing the appearance of acne and acne scars. Additionally, IPL can stimulate collagen production, contributing to a more youthful and healthy complexion.
Here's a more detailed look at the Desired outcomes:
- Skin Tone and Texture:
- Improved Skin Tone: IPL can help even out skin tone by reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, such as dark spots and age spots.
- Improved Skin Texture: IPL can stimulate collagen production, leading to smoother, more refined skin texture.
- Redness and Flushing:
- Reduced Redness: IPL can effectively treat redness associated with rosacea and other conditions.
- Minimized Flushing: IPL can help reduce the frequency and intensity of flushing.
- Hyperpigmentation and Sun Damage:
- Reduced Hyperpigmentation: IPL can lighten and reduce the appearance of dark spots, freckles, and other hyperpigmented areas.
- Minimized Sun Damage: IPL can help reduce the visible signs of sun damage, such as sun spots and wrinkles.
- Other Benefits:
- Reduced Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles: IPL can stimulate collagen production, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Reduced Acne and Acne Scar Appearance: IPL can help to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria associated with acne, as well as reduce the appearance of acne scars.
Treatment Considerations
- Rosacea
- Diffuse Redness
- Sun Damage
- Pigmented Lesions
- Tone and Texture
- Aging Skin
- Acne
- Scars
- Poikiloderma of Civatte
- Hair Reduction
✦ WHAT DOES IPL TREAT? ✦
If you have any of the following, consider booking an appointment for an IPL laser treatment.
- Age Spots
- Dark Spots
- Acne
- Dark Spots
- Sun Damage
- Freckles
- Birthmarks
- Spider Veins
- Wrinkles
- Rosacea
- Unwanted Hair Removal
- Rejuvenation of Skin
✦ PRE-CARE INSTRUCTIONS ✦
It is important to have skin is in normal condition before your IPL
treatment to ensure that sensitivity is minimum during the
appointment.
Follow these steps:
- Avoid intense sun exposure a few weeks before receiving
the treatment. check if skin should not be tanned. - Wearing a daily moisturizer and using SPF if it is an exposed skin.
- Avoid Accutane for at least 6 months prior to your appointment.
- If having IPL, do not wax, tweeze, or pluck the hair for
weeks prior to your treatment. - Shaving or depilatory creams are fine, and you may need to
shave the treatment site before your IPL session. - Avoid the use of retinols, AHAs and BHAs, Vitamin C, and Glycolic Acids at least 1 week before your treatment
- Avoid any kind of exfoliation at least 1 week before your
appointment. - Do not use fake tan prior to your appointment.
- If you have a history of herpes close to the area being
treated, it is recommended that you take antiviral
medication before the treatment.
✦ POST-CARE INSTRUCTIONS ✦
Post-care is just as important as pre-care! After getting an IPL treatment, you should...
- Sun Protection:
- Avoid direct sunlight for at least 2 week and use a
broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily, even on
cloudy days.
- Gentle Cleansing:
- Cleanse the treated area with a gentle cleanser and cold
or room temperature water (not hot) then pat dry.
- Moisturizing:
- Apply a gentle moisturizer twice a day to keep the skin hydrated and keep it occluded. In some cases apply Vaseline or Aquafore
- Cold Compresses:
- Apply a cold compress to the treated area to reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Apply a cold compress to the treated area to reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Avoid Harsh Products:
- Refrain from using harsh skincare products like exfoliants, retinoids, or hydroquinone for at 2 weeks
- Refrain from using harsh skincare products like exfoliants, retinoids, or hydroquinone for at 2 weeks
- No Picking:
- Do not pick or scratch on your scabs or blisters or darkened spots, or areas of flaking skin.
- Do not pick or scratch on your scabs or blisters or darkened spots, or areas of flaking skin.
- Avoid Heat:
- Avoid internal or external raising of your body temperature and any exposure to heat like hot showers or steam, baths, saunas, and strenuous exercise until 2 weeks after the treatment. No prolonged exposure to the sun
- Avoid internal or external raising of your body temperature and any exposure to heat like hot showers or steam, baths, saunas, and strenuous exercise until 2 weeks after the treatment. No prolonged exposure to the sun
- Monitor for Problems:
- See your provider if you experience severe discomfort or
blistering.
- See your provider if you experience severe discomfort or
- Makeup:
- Makeup can be used immediately unless it is too sensitive.
- Makeup can be used immediately unless it is too sensitive.
- Follow-Up: follow up is very important as it may take few treatments to see the best results. Consider a facial with microdermabrasion only after the
analysis.
✦ IPL PROCEDURE ✦
Your IPL treatment will take about 30-45 minutes. You may feel some discomfort and heat during the procedure. For this procedure, your skin may be red or sensitive for a few days and might scab and blister after your appointment. Some more common side effects are blisters, bruising, crusting, brown spots, redness, swelling, sunspots, and blemishes. Use a daily moisturizer of at least SPF 30 to prevent further irritation, sensitivity, and even burns caused by UVA and UVB rays. Our spa can provide you with a high-quality moisturizer if you do not have one.
These symptoms create no reason for concern. For the IPL Photofacial, some may find the healing process takes time and some may heal faster, with side effects lasting a few days.
✦ WHAT TO EXPECT/SIDE EFFECTS AFTER IPL ✦
Most clients experience some, but seldom all, of these
after-effects. Discomfort is generally experienced.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment can have side effects,
including redness, swelling, discomfort, and changes in skin
color. More serious, though less common, side effects may
include burning, blistering, and scarring.
Common Side Effects:
- Redness and Swelling:
- Redness, swelling, and a mild, sunburn-like sensation are common.
- Severity of Discomfort may vary:
- A stinging or burning sensation, similar to a sunburn, may be felt during and immediately after treatment.
- Skin Color Changes:
- darkening or lightening of the skin, especially in areas treated for hyperpigmentation or redness, may occur.
- Light Sensitivity:
- Photophobia, or increased sensitivity to light, may be experienced, necessitating the use of sunglasses.
- Bruising:
- bruising can occur, particularly in areas with more fragile blood vessels, and usually dissipates within a few weeks.
- Peeling or Flaking:
- Pigmented areas may appear darker and then flake off after
a few days.
- Pigmented areas may appear darker and then flake off after
Less Common, but Potentially Serious Side Effects:
- Burning:
- Burns can occur, especially if the treated area is sensitive, also if after care is not followed properly.
- Blistering:
- In some cases, especially with sensitive skin types or high intensity settings, or when heat is dissapating from the surface, blistering can occur.
- Scarring:
- Scarring (hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation) can occur, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin or prone to keloid formation.
- Scarring (hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation) can occur, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin or prone to keloid formation.
- Infection:
- Although rare, infections can occur if the treated area is not properly cared for after treatment.
Factors Influencing Side Effects:
- Skin Tone:
- Individuals with darker skin tones may have a higher risk of pigmentation changes and other side effects.
- Skin Condition:
- Conditions like rosacea, eczema, or a history of keloid formation can increase the risk of certain side effects.
- Medications:
- Certain medications, particularly those that increase light sensitivity, can increase the risk of adverse reactions.