IPL Photorejuvenation at Skin Solutions
Age and the elements can leave their mark on your skin, in the form of red and brown areas of discoloration. IPL is an effective, non-invasive way to diminish these and other skin imperfections. The IPL system delivers high intensity pulses of light — not lasers — to gently rejuvenate your skin. This procedure provides dramatic results in treating red blemishes caused by broken capillaries, the brown pigmentation of age spots, freckles and other sun damage, as well as symptoms of rosacea, birthmarks and spider veins.
Using IPL results in smoother, healthier, younger-looking skin that usually lasts a year or more. Treatments are safe and quick with no recovery time, so you can get on with your busy life.
What is IPL?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. IPL is also referred to as photo-facial, fotofacial, and photo rejuvenation. This state-of-the-art system is considered the gold standard in photo-facial therapy.
How does IPL photorejuvenation work?
IPL is a gentle, non-invasive procedure that treats skin damage without disrupting the skin’s surface. IPL delivers powerful pulses of light that target problem areas and stimulate new collagen growth, resulting in smoother, younger-looking skin. During treatment at Skin Solutions, we will direct IPL wavelengths in such a way that they are absorbed only by the unwanted pigment cells (melanin) without damaging the surrounding tissue. The light is converted to heat energy, which causes the melanin to shatter. In the weeks following IPL treatment, the shattered melanin particles are absorbed by the body, dramatically diminishing the redness and pigment of the original discoloration. Damaged blood vessels located deeper in the skin are treated at the same time and are reabsorbed in much the same way.
Unlike most other anti-aging treatments, IPL can simultaneously treat a wide range of skin problems safely and effectively. At Skin Solutions, we use IPL to treat the face, neck, chest and hands – places where sun damage is often most visible.
What happens during IPL treatment?
Skin Solutions aestheticians will develop a specific treatment plan for you based on your skin type and the number and severity of the skin conditions being treated. We start this in-office procedure by applying a cold gel to the area of skin being treated. When working on your face, we cover your eyes with gauze and river stones to protect your eyes from the bright light. You may feel a slight sting as the smooth glass surface of the IPL handpiece delivers pulses of light. Anesthetic cream is available, but we find it is rarely needed.
On average, we recommend six 30- to 35-minute treatments scheduled at three-week intervals. By dividing the full program into several treatments, IPL provides gradual improvement with very low risk and no recovery time.
Because there’s no downtime, many people schedule convenient lunch-hour treatments.
How long will IPL results last?
Results from a full series of IPL treatments usually last a year or more. Single treatments to maintain smooth, young-looking skin can be scheduled as needed. Typical maintenance is one treatment every six months.
Are there side effects to IPL treatment?
There’s a chance your skin may be slightly flushed for an hour or two after treatment. If you’d like, you can apply powder or makeup right away.
Who should consider IPL?
Anyone with signs of aging and sun-damaged skin is a candidate for FDA-approved IPL Photorejuvenation.
Come talk to us!
Schedule a free consult with a Skin Solutions aesthetician to find out if IPL Photorejuvenation is right for you. We’ll evaluate your skin and recommend the best skincare regimen and treatments to fit your needs. As Maine’s leader in skincare procedures, you can trust Skin Solutions to enlighten your look.