IPL
Intense pulsed light (IPL) delivers scattered light energy. It targets and breaks down the brown and red pigments in the skin, effectively diminishing sun-spots and improving the appearance of rosacea. It can also help create smoother looking skin, evening out skin tone and texture by stimulating collagen production. Many patients see clearer and more radiant skin in just one treatment. It can treat the face, neck, chest, arms, hands, and legs. IPL is safe in skin types I-IV.
IPL is less expensive and has less downtime than laser treatments. However, for deeper wrinkles, fillers or an ablative laser like the fractional CO2 laser may be a better choice.
What to expect during treatment?
This low energy laser has a chill tip that provides pre and post cooling to the targeted area. You may feel a prickling, snapping, or stinging sensation. A topical anesthetic can be applied but generally this treatment is well tolerated, and numbing is not needed. Length of treatment depends on size and how many areas are being treated but generally it’s about 20 minutes per area.
What to expect after treatment?
Downtime for healing is minimal, making IPL an appealing choice. You can resume your normal activities and apply makeup after your treatment. Downtime is about 4 days but can take up to 1 week. 1-2 days after treatment you may see a coffee ground appearance of the skin. This is expected, as the pigment has been broken up by the light which is then eliminated by the body. You may experience some dryness, slight swelling or flaking of the skin.
How many treatments are needed?
Generally, 3-5 treatments are needed to see results spaced 2-4 weeks apart. Maintenance once every 6-12 months is generally enough. Following a healthy lifestyle including daily use of sunblock may delay the reappearance of these skin concerns.
When will I see results?
It generally takes 3-5 sessions separated by 2-4 weeks to achieve desired results. You will continue to see improvement 3-6 months post treatment as collagen and elastin have regenerated.
Risks associated with treatment
If used on the wrong skin type or settings are too aggressive, blistering, burns, hypo or hyper pigmentation may occur.
IPL can help improve the appearance of:
- Sun spots
- Broken capillaries
- Rosacea
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Fine wrinkles
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- Dull skin
IPL PRE TREATMENT CARE
GENERAL CARE
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Come to the office makeup free.
- Stop exfoliating the skin for 1 week prior to treatment.
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Avoid alcohol for 24 hours prior to treatment.
MEDICATIONS
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If you have a history of labial herpes (cold sores) and are being treated around the mouth, we recommend starting Valacyclovir 24 hours before treatment and continuing until completion (14 days) to prevent reactivation of the virus.
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Photosensitizing medications including Doxycycline and Minocycline should be discontinued 3 days prior to treatment.
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Avoid retinoids and glycolic acid 1 week before treatment.
- Depending on your skin type or if you suffer from pigmentation issues, a skin bleaching agent may be prescribed to prep the skin before your treatment. This reduces the risk of PIH or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation following treatment.
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Accutane should be avoided for 12 months prior to treatment.
SUN EXPOSURE
- Avoid sun exposure and direct sunlight for 2 weeks prior to treatment.
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If you have been sunburned recently wait 4 weeks before undergoing this treatment as hypo or hyper pigmentation can occur.
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Avoid self-tanners for 4 weeks before treatment.
IPL POST TREATMENT CARE
DOWNTIME
- Downtime is about 4-7 days.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, hot tubs, saunas until fully healed.
MEDICATIONS
- Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and aspirin for 48 hours after treatment.
- Avoid retinoids, glycolic acid, vitamin C, for 2 weeks after treatment and completion of healing.
- Tylenol post treatment is ok to use.
GENERAL CARE
- A gentle cleanser may be used. If you need a cleanser, we carry Alastin Gentle Cleanser.
- The skin should be hydrated, and a moisturizer should be applied at least twice daily.
- We highly recommend post procedure care with Alastin Skincare Regenerating Skin Nectar. It immediately sooths the skin and really helps reduce post procedure redness and discomfort. Also works with your treatment to stimulate collagen and elastin production.
- Mineral based makeup can be applied 24 hours after treatment as long as skin is intact.
- Do not pick the skin.
- Have cool compresses ready or a hand-held fan on hand to help soothe the skin post treatment.
- Avoid exfoliating treated areas for 2 weeks following treatment.
SUN EXPOSURE
- Avoid sun exposure and direct sunlight for 2 weeks post treatment.
- Use sunblock with minimum 30 SPF daily. Reapply several times during the day. If you need a good sunscreen, we carry Alastin Skincare SilkSHIELD Mineral Sunscreen.
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The World of Fillers
Fillers are comprised of hyaluronic acid, which restores volume and improves the overall texture of the skin. As we age, we lose fat in the face, the muscle wears down and even the bone structure changes. This all contributes to an ageing face. In our youth, the face is shaped like an upside-down egg, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. As we age, this flip around. We become narrower up top having lost volume around the temples and wider at the bottom. This is because of the changes we mentioned above – loss of subcutaneous fat, muscle atrophy, and changes in bone structure.
When tackling volume loss, we start with the midface. It fills the cheeks, elevates the midface, and in doing so can improve the hollowing of the eyes and smooth the lines around the mouth. Filler can restore definition to the jawline. Not only can it plump the lips, but also restore its color and hydration too. Don’t forget the hands, always a dead giveaway of our age. The hands can also be filled, we use Restylane Lyft for this area. With the correct type of filler and amount used most won’t know what you’ve had done, just that you look rested, refreshed, youthful.
Prior to coming to the clinic there are a few things you should do to prepare. Avoid alcohol and Ibuprofen 48 hours prior to injection as this will minimize bruising. Of course, there still is a risk of bruising as we have hundreds of thousands of blood vessels in our face but taking this precaution will help. We locally anesthetize the area and in some, perform a nerve block. Other practices just use a topical anesthetic. We do not find this to be as effective. After your procedure you should avoid strenuous activity for a few days. Sleeping upright can help with swelling. Keeping hydrated and using a topical hyaluronic serum is great to support your treatment at home. By staying hydrated and using a good skin care regimen, we support and maintain our results following treatment.
We love Galderma’s Restylane line of fillers. Their line of fillers with XpresHAn technology integrates into the tissues and moves with the face keeping a natural look. We’ve included a list of Restylane’s line of filles and areas we like to use them:
Restylane Refyne – can be used anywhere on the face
Restylane Defyne – lower face such as nasal labial folds (laugh lines), chin
Restylane Contour – midface
Restylane Lyft – midface, temples, jawline, hands
Restylane – L – can be used anywhere on the face, lips
Restylane Kysse – lips, wrinkles around the mouth
We are happy to answer any questions you may have! Consultations are complimentary. Call or schedule online at themdskinclinic.com
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