IPL Photofacial

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

Photofacial is a laser light treatment that targets pigment issues.

What is an IPL PhotoFacial?

The IPL PhotoFacial is a non-ablative procedure that eliminates age spots, sun damage, and redness. Simply, it treats the unwanted “reds” and “browns” that dull the complexion. Reds (like some forms of rosacea, acne scars and spider veins) and browns (like sun damage, sunspots, and acne and other scars) build up over time and create an “aged” appearance. Not only does IPL eliminate exterior conditions, IPL PhotoFacials also heats the skin cells under the surface, increasing collagen production!

IPL PhotoFacial is used to treat the following conditions on the face, hands, and décolletage (chest):
Rosacea Spider veins
Excessive flushing
Broken capillaries
Hyperpigmentation (brown spots)
Age & sunspots
Melasma Freckles
Wrinkles Skin texture problems
Large pores

How Does It Work?

The specific wavelength targets these tiny pockets of pigment in the skin. As the hemoglobin (red) and melanin (brown) absorb the light, they heat up and break apart, becoming waste or dead cells. Then the skin’s own specialized cells, called phagocytes, go into action to remove this waste material revealing a clear and more youthful complexion.

Does It Hurt?

The IPL machine, here at Pro Touch Esthetics, was designed to use a Sub-Zero Effect operation which reduces the temperature of the handpiece to -12C (10.4F). This process freezes and numbs the pain receptors allowing your treatments to be performed at higher energy levels, creating better results, with virtually no pain!

Rosacea and Spider Veins

Men and women who suffer from rosacea and spider veins on the nose, cheeks and elsewhere on the face can benefit from IPL Skin Rejuvenation Treatment.

Our machine is programmed to target these pockets of visible veins and redness to provide effective rosacea and spider vein treatment.

As the light pulses are absorbed into the hemoglobin pigment, it causes thermal damage to the vessel wall. The damaged blood vessel is then absorbed into the body as part of the natural healing process and the redness which once dulled the complexion is simply gone. Rosacea can be greatly controlled with treatments of IPL PhotoFacials but there are many triggers that can cause this condition of reoccurring.

Spider veins or broken capillaries in the face can be treated with 2-4 IPL PhotoFacials depending on the number and size of the vein.

Age Spots, Sun Damage, Sunspots Skin Rejuvenation

Years of sun exposure causes the skin to overproduce pockets of melanin on the skin. This shows up as brown spots, sunspots, or age spots. The IPL machine delivers a spectrum of light wavelengths that are absorbed by these pockets of melanin. As the light reacts with the pigment, the spots are heated up and destroyed. These dead skin cells flake away, and a more even skin tone is revealed. Depending on the severity of these skin conditions, five or more treatments are needed, although, you will see significant improvement after just 2 treatments.

How Should I Prepare for a Treatment?

Your skin should be completely clean from any skincare and lotions. Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding. Refrain from taking certain antibiotics and topical creams such as retinoids (Retin-A) that affect skin sensitivity. Avoid sun exposure 4-6 weeks prior to treatment.

What Should I Expect Post Treatment?

Immediately following the procedure, you may feel as though you have a sunburn on the treatment area, though this feeling will subside within 24 hours. Post pigmentation treatment, some scabbing over the hyperpigmentation may appear and should NOT be picked at. These scabs will darken for a period of up to two weeks. This is because the skin needs to shed for the results to be visible. After the scabs flake off, the skin underneath will fade to a lighter appearance than before the treatment.