The intense pulsed light (IPL) procedure, also called a photo facial, is one of the most efficient ways of improving the texture and color of the skin for people who want to get rid of scars, signs of aging, unwanted hair, spider veins, and other imperfections without having to undergo surgery. If you are one of those people and you live in Florida, Women’s Care of Bradenton is definitely the right address for you.
The IPL treatment is quite similar to laser procedures, but the difference between the two is that laser treatments provide only one wavelength of light. In contrast, IPL skin treatments offer a multitude of wavelengths. In translation, this signifies that with IPL, it takes a shorter amount of time to treat a larger skin area. One of the most powerful IPLs is called the Lumecca treatment, and it can be found only in some care centers, such as the Mahima Spa Bradenton, so make sure you check it out!
In today’s blog post, we will talk in more detail about the IPL laser, how it works, what you can expect from the procedure, and what potential risks and benefits might be. Stick around to find out whether IPL treatments are for you.
What Is an IPL Skin Treatment?
Intense pulsed light, or IPL, is, as mentioned, a very powerful tool for skin rejuvenation, hair removal, and the overall improvement of skin damage. It can significantly impact the damage visible on the skin, especially if the damage is caused by sun exposure. This type of damage is called photoaging, and it is mostly located on our face, neck, chest, and hands.
IPL therapy uses light to accurately target and remove any pigments from the skin or damaged patches and hair follicles. A handheld device by a trained professional targets different areas and “shoots” light at the damaged skin portions. The light functions as a heater for the skin cells, and in that way, it breaks the cells down. After that, our body removes the tissue that is damaged on its own.
Most often, the treatment is performed by either a board-certified dermatologist, a physician, or a nurse. In any case, the person who is performing the procedure needs to be certified and skilled.
Why Do People Use IPL Treatments?
Intense pulsed light can be used for a wide variety of different issues, including:
- Birthmarks
- Acne scars
- Redness of the face (rosacea)
- Scars
- Hyperpigmentation
- Age spots
- Freckles
- Spider veins
- Brown skin patches (melisma)
- Damages on the skin caused by the sun
- Wrinkles
- Broken blood vessels
- Discoloration
- Stretch marks
- Unwanted hair
- Unwanted tattoos
When the skin tone gets more even, the person might look much younger, which is why IPL therapy is seen as a rejuvenation tactic. This said, there are a few groups of people who should not use IPL laser because it might do more damage than good, and those are people who:
- Have a particular skin condition
- Take specific medication for a diagnosed condition
- Are impregnated
- Are sensitive to strong light
- Might suffer from skin cancer
- Are struggling with severe scars and keloid scar tissue
- Use a cream classified as a retinoid
- Have you been recently in a tanning bed, used a tanning cream, or had direct sun exposure
- Have very dark skin
IPL Therapy – Preparation and The Procedure
To prepare for the treatment, it is advised to avoid putting on perfumes, skin foundations, any makeup, or other scented products that can irritate the skin or cause other types of damage. Also, do not go to a tanning salon, and do not put on tanning creams or chemical peels at least 15 days before the appointment. Apart from this, no other preparatory steps are necessary prior to undergoing IPL skin treatment.
When you arrive at your scheduled appointment, the medical professional in charge of the treatment will give you the necessary information and start the treatment. They will first apply a special gel on the clean skin, give you a pair of dark glasses for eye protection and begin with the intense pulsed light therapy. The sessions usually last up to 30 minutes, while larger areas can take up to an hour or longer.
Some people might feel a burning sensation or stings similar to rubber band snaps, but that does not last long. If you cannot take the pain, share that with the medical professional beforehand, and they will be able to give you a cream to numb the skin on the area you want to treat.
Recovery from IPL
For a few hours after the treatment, you might feel like the treated area was sunburned, but icing it and applying cold washcloths will help you ease the discomfort. The skin can be a bit bruised or red for a few days, but it should all go away very fast after the treatment.
These are some do’s and don’ts after an IPL treatment:
- Use a moisturizing lotion
- Do not use makeup on the areas which still hurt
- Use sunscreen (SPF30 and higher) every day, and reapply it every two hours regardless of the weather outside
- Use a sensitive skin cleanser when cleaning your face
It might take some time, like a week or so, to get back to your regular skincare routine, so be patient and listen to your chosen medical provider. People mostly undergo between three and seven sessions to get proper results, but that depends on the treated area and the condition it is in before coming to IPL. There needs to be a pause between each appointment for at least two to four weeks.
The Effectiveness of IPL
The effectiveness of an IPL treatment really depends on different factors, such as:
- How dark or light the person’s skin is (it works better on lighter skin)
- What kind of equipment is the professional using (for example, Lumecca IPL is the most efficient option)
- The type of skin the patient has
- The amount of damage on the skin and its cause
Generally, experts say that IPL treatments are very effective, and regardless of how many treatments you need, positive results are almost guaranteed. It is important to underline that the IPL skin treatment is not a cheap option and that although it helps you look younger, it does not stop your skin from aging, so no matter how much you pay for the treatment and how often you do it, your skin will have to go through the aging process.
Lumecca Treatment
Lumecca IPL is presented on the market as the most powerful IPL for treating hyperpigmentation and vascular condition. Some people even shared that they noticed results after only one session, which is quite impressive. Lumecca uses photothermolysis and higher peak power to get stronger and better results, so the number of needed treatments is lower than other IPL options.
The benefits of Lumecca IPL are that it can improve the appearance of age spots, rosacea, freckles, sun damage, etc., in one to three seconds, while the side effects, if any, only include short-term redness after the treatment, which disappears after a few days.
Try Lumecca IPL with Us!
If you are interested in trying out Lumecca IPL, the most efficient IPL option, today, call our center and schedule an appointment. We are here to help you get rid of freckles, acne scars, sun damage, and stubborn signs of aging. Get your IPL appointment now!