An IPL photofacial is a gentle, state-of-the-art approach to making your skin look younger and smoother. The process treats the full face, neck, chest or hands, rather than simply one isolated area or imperfection. A series of IPL photofacial treatments can rejuvenate your complexion without downtime or a prolonged recovery process. And the process is easy to fit into your busy schedule—a full facial treatment can be completed in 30 minutes or less.

Are you a good candidate for an IPL photofacial?

If you answer yes to these questions, you are:

• Is your face showing early signs of sun damage?
• Are you starting to notice age spots on your face or hands?
• Is redness or rosacea making your complexion look blotchy?
• Are you troubled by large pores?

If you want to improve the appearance of your complexion—without harming or removing the upper layer of the skin—consider IPL photofacials.

What does IPL stand for?

IPL stands for intense pulsed light. This revolutionary facial treatment method is not a laser. Unlike lasers, which operate on one wavelength, IPL photofacials use a broad-spectrum light source called flashlight technology.

How does an IPL photofacial work?

An IPL photofacial uses double and triple pulses of light, depending on your skin type and condition. Using a broad spectrum of light produces a ripple effect that reaches several layers deep into the skin. The depth of this penetration, as well as the specific light wavelength, are carefully controlled.

The intense pulsed light warms up the skin and uses heat to stimulate the body's natural healing process.

These light pulses not only target superficial pigmentation or redness, but also penetrate to the collagen-stimulating layers of the skin. Result: Your skin is stimulated to produce new collagen and connective tissue, giving your skin a younger, smoother appearance.

What can IPL photofacials treat?

• Sun-damaged skin
• Enlarged pores
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Rosacea
• Age spots (sun-induced freckles)
• Most benign brown pigments
• Dilated blood vessels
• Redness caused by broken capillaries (telangiectasia)

Who is a good candidate for IPL photofacials?

If you have Fitzpatrick Skin Type 1-4 (a light to medium complexion-see chart) and want to remove hyperpigmentation (unusual darkening of the skin) caused by sun exposure, age or medication such as antibiotics, you are a very good candidate for IPL photofacials.

Who is not a good candidate for IPL photofacials?

If you have a darker complexion, you are more likely to suffer an adverse reaction from an IPL photofacial because of the greater amount of melanin in your skin.

How will your skin look right after an IPL photofacial?

Immediately after an IPL photofacial, your face will be moderately red—a condition known as erythema—and may feel warm to the touch, as after a minor sunburn. There may also be some slight swelling, or edema.

These effects, which typically last for one to three hours after a facial, are normal. They are a sign that the intensity of the IPL is in the proper range to stimulate healing.

An ultrasound gel is used during the treatment to calm the skin, and a soothing aloe-based lotion is applied after an IPL photofacial, followed by a cold compress to quickly reduce redness. You should be able to return to work or social activities immediately.

How will the skin react in the days following an IPL photofacial?

If you are being treated for sun-damaged skin (hyperpigmentation), those areas of the skin will be darker after an IPL photofacial as the pigment is pulled to the skin's surface. Over the next seven days, the darkened areas will appear as dry patches; they will become slightly crusty and slough off, revealing smoother, younger-looking skin.

Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun following an IPL photofacial. It is important to wear a sunscreen and limit your exposure to the sun to less than 30 minutes.

What results can you expect?

Your skin will have a more even tone and will look and feel smoother after your very first treatment. As you continue your series of IPL photofacials, you will see progressive improvements—fine lines and wrinkles will diminish, your pores will become smaller and sun-induced freckles will fade. If you have rosacea, you will see less and less redness in your complexion after every treatment. Studies have shown that rosacea can be reduced by up to 80% to 90%.

How many treatments are typically needed?

The number of IPL photofacial treatments you will need depends on the condition of your skin. IPL photofacial treatments should be scheduled at least three to four weeks apart to allow time to slough off the old skin. Results vary from patient to patient; we will advise you on the number of treatments you will need to achieve the results you desire.

Some general guidelines:

• Sun damage (hyperpigmentation): 5 treatments
• Broken capillaries: 3 treatments
• Rosacea: 3-5 treatments
• Enlarged pores: 3 treatments
• Fine lines and wrinkles: 5 or more treatments
• Age spots: 5 treatments