Photorejuvenation

 

As the population ages, ever-increasing numbers of people are interested in improving their appearance using minimally invasive techniques. Intense Pulse Light or IPL treatments were developed about 10 years ago by Dr.Bitter in San Francisco, as a non-invasive method using light energy to improve the skin and restore its youthful glow.

IPL treatments utilize intense pulsed light to effectively treat rosacea, facial flushing, red chests and necks, brown spots, sun damage and irregular skin pigmentation on all skin types. IPL often consist of full-face treatment or treatment of isolated body areas like the hands or chest. The light penetrates the tissue and is absorbed by either the blood when treating vascular lesions or the melanin when treating pigmented lesions thus thermally destroying them. The body's natural processes then remove the injured tissue giving the skin a more even and healthier appearance. The effects of aging, sun damage and facial capillaries can be gently reduced, replaced by newer, younger looking skin.

For optimal results, a series of 4 to 6 treatments are usually required at three-week intervals. As a sub-epidermal procedure, IPL treatments produce few side effects and require little to no alteration in the patient's normal routine, but the treated area will need to be protected from sunlight, tanning beds or other UV light during recovery. The procedure involves some discomfort with a warm or mild stinging sensation. Immediately following treatment the skin may appear flushed, brown-pigmented spots may appear darker, and capillaries may be more visible. There may be some mild swelling, which will go away after a few days. In rare cases some blistering may occur, which may take several days to heal. However, a gradual decrease in redness, broken capillaries, flushing, irregular pigmentation, pore size and fine lines should be expected. After each treatment the skin will feel smoother and appear to exhibit a more even tone. A follow-up treatment is recommended once a year to maintain results.

Additionally, facial wrinkles can also be treated non-ablatively, contributing to a more youthful appearance. Using 1064-nm, infrared laser energy to heat the skin's microvasculature and provide dermal heating that stimulates the growth of new collagen over the next 4-6 months, mild facial wrinkles can thus be reduced without resurfacing the skin.

Overall, patients have a high degree of satisfaction with their results. The procedure can be done during lunch hour and no one will notice any sign of treatment, just a gradual improvement in the skin's appearance with little discomfort and minimal risk. Schedule your consultation today and discover how this treatment can benefit you!

 

Below are 4 examples of before and after Photorejuvenation Treatments.