Improve the Color and Texture of Skin With Intense Pulsed Light Therapy

Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) is a procedure used to improve the texture and color of skin without surgery. It can be used to get rid of some of the noticeable damage caused by sunlight exposure, known as photoaging. This type of damage is typically most visible around the chest, hands, neck, and face.

Intense pulsed light therapy can also be used to address splotchy, brown, or red skin caused by skin disorders. The procedure uses the heat generated by light to get rid of unwanted cells in the body.

Everything you should know about intense pulsed light therapy

Also known as a photo facial, IPL therapy uses light energy to target unwanted colors in a patient’s skin. The skin is heated by the light energy, which causes the body to eliminate unwanted cells. Unlike laser skin treatments, IPL uses more than a single wavelength of pulsating light, allowing skin therapists to treat multiple skin conditions at once.

Many patients report looking younger and having a more even skin tone following IPL treatments. Recovery times are short as well since the light used does not damage surrounding cells and tissues. IPL treatments are typically performed by board-certified dermatologists, but they can also be done by physician assistants and nurses.

The ideal candidate for IPL

Intense pulsed light therapy treatments work best on patients with light to light brown skin tones. Some of the skin disorders that can be targeted with IPL treatments include:

• Birthmarks
• Acne
• Age spots
• Broken blood vessels
• Stretch marks
• Dark spots caused by hormonal changes
• Fine wrinkles
• Discolored skin
• Freckles
• Spider veins
• Redness caused by rosacea
• Unwanted hair
• Spider veins

People who are pregnant, currently taking medication for health issues, and those with skin conditions should talk to a doctor before undergoing IPL therapy. Other people who might not be ideal candidates for the procedure include those battling cancer, patients with darker skin tones, and people with skin resurfacing disorders.

The process

Patients are advised to avoid using scented hygiene products, makeup, and perfume on the day of their appointment. Some of the other things patients can do to prepare for the treatment include:

• Avoid tanning or using a tanning bed for at least four weeks before the treatment
• Avoid getting the areas that will be treated waxed or treated with chemical peels at least two weeks before the treatment
• Do not take aspirin or other drugs that promote bleeding on the day of the treatment
• Avoid medication that might make you more sensitive to sunlight, like the antibiotic doxycycline

During the appointment, the technician will apply a gel on the patient’s skin after cleaning it. The patient will be given dark-colored glasses to protect their eyes from the light. A handheld device is used for the procedure, and a session lasts about 30 minutes. Patients might feel a slight sting as the light pulses enter their skin if numbing cream is not used at the start of the procedure.

Frequently asked questions about intense pulsed light therapy

Thinking about giving IPL therapy a try? Let us go over some of the questions you might have:

1. How long do IPL treatment sessions take?

This often comes down to how large the area being treated is. The average length of an IPL treatment session is somewhere between 60 to 90 minutes. This includes the half an hour it takes to apply topical numbing agents to the areas being worked on.

Patients do not experience significant pain during IPL treatments thanks to the anesthetics used. Without it, patients would feel a snapping sensation as the laser penetrated their skin. The numbing agents prevent patients from feeling significant discomfort during the procedure.

2. How long does it take to see results after IPL therapy?

Many patients report seeing results as early as seven to ten days after getting treatment. The full results of the therapy are typically visible within two weeks of the treatment. The increased collagen production that comes as a result of the procedure can last up to six months.

The results of IPL treatment can be visible for several years after the procedure. Little things like using sunscreen to minimize sun damage on the skin can make results last longer.

3. Is there any downtime associated with IPL therapy?

No. There is no significant recovery period following IPL therapy. Patients are free to use makeup immediately after treatment and resume their regular routine. There might be some redness around areas treated, but that should go away within a few days. 

Improve the texture and color of your skin

Ready for smoother, younger-looking skin? Give us a call or stop by our Fresno clinic to set up an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://omgwellnessmd.com or call Optimal Medical Group at (559) 425-1118 for an appointment in our Fresno office.

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