IPL skin rejuvenation, or Intense Pulsed Light Photofacial treatment, is one of the most popular procedures with our Los Angeles patients because it represents an age-defying skin care technology that addresses the effects of photoaging due to sun damage with minimal investment and downtime for recovery.
IPL PHOTOFACIAL FOR FACIAL REJUVENATION
Whereas photoaging from sun exposure occurs due to the damaging effects of the ultraviolet light, more specifically, the UVA and UVB components of sunlight, the IPL photofacial treatment uses the longer wavelengths of light, mostly in the visible range, to rejuvenate the skin and counter the effects of photoaging.
IPL photorejuvenation involves a non-ablative (not peeling or removing top layers of the skin), innovative, light-based treatment that applies a carefully calibrated and filtered light to the skin to seek out specific targets on the skin surface. These targets could be pigmented spots, superficial blood vessels and even hair follicles. IPL treatment is ideal for skin care concerns ranging from sun spots and hyperpigmentation, to Rosacea and broken capillaries. Having regular photofacials is a great way to rejuvenate the skin and keep it glowing, fresh, even-toned and beautiful throughout the year. With adequate skin aftercare, the results of IPL rejuvenation often last for years.
Many of our patients who have had previous IPL photofacials at other medical spas, laser institutes, or cosmetic surgery centers are enormously impressed and pleasantly surprised with the result they achieve after only one IPL photorejuvenation treatment performed by Dr. R. Dishakjian of the center. They all say that the improvement in their skin complexion and tone is more significant than that they have noticed in the past after having several IPL skin rejuvenation treatments. In fact, many patients experience such a dramatic improvement in their facial skin complexion that they discontinue using daily makeup to hide their facial skin blemishes. Getting consistent, safe and robust results with IPL treatments requires significant expertise and experience, as the treatment is very easy to underdo or overdo. At Nu Vela, Dr. R. Dishakjian uses the Sciton BBL technology, a leading manufacturer of IPL devices, and takes pride in personally performing all IPL treatments to give his patients the best possible skin rejuvenation outcome.
Different terms, such as IPL Skin Rejuvenation, Broadband Light (BBL) Therapy, Variable Pulsed Light, Photorejuvenation, Photofacials, Fotofacials, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacials, and IPL phototherapy, basically refer to the same technology — a light bulb connected to a computer that tells it how often, how long and with what intensity to flash. A filter is applied to the bulb to restrict the light to a specific wavelength range to make the emitted light go after certain pigmented targets on damaged skin.
Despite the fact that many people refer to laser skin treatments and IPL photorejuvenation interchangeably, the technology in the two systems is not the same. A laser emits a beam of light of a single wavelength (monochromatic), where all the waves are coherent (in phase with one other) and travel in the same direction, exactly parallel to one another. Scientists say the laser light is “collimated.” Unlike lasers, light waves from ordinary sources (such as flashlights, light bulbs, or the Sun) spread out in all directions.
Because the laser light is monochromatic, coherent, and collimated, all of its energy is focused to produce a small point of intense power. This focused power makes laser light useful for cutting and welding, and when it comes to cosmetic dermatology, gives it the ability of penetrating skin. An IPL on the other hand, has a range of wavelengths of non-coherent light that scatters very quickly, and therefore has less skin penetrating ability. This makes it an ideal treatment for very superficial structures of the skin, like sun spots, superficial wrinkles, hair follicles and blood vessels.
Light and lasers both act on the skin by generating heat after being absorbed by pigmented targets or water. However, different targets (referred to as chromophores) respond to different wavelengths of light. Lasers have a single color and wavelength and therefore are commonly used to go after a specific target that responds to that wavelength. With IPL/photofacial treatments, the broad range of wavelengths of light allows seamless treatment for multiple skin conditions (sun spots, shallow wrinkles and redness, to name a few). Thus, while lasers are very specific to the conditions they treat, IPL machines are versatile and generalists. Perhaps, it would be convenient to think of an IPL as the “iphone” of the laser world.
BEFORE AND AFTER IPL TREATMENT
The laser beam in skin resurfacing lasers, whether CO2 laser or Erbium:Yag, targets the water content of the skin cells so efficiently that the heat generated essentially vaporizes these cells. Although the thickness of the vaporized layer of the skin depends on the settings of the machine, this process occurs indiscriminately over all the skin cells, including pigmented and the normal skin cells. IPL photofacials, on the other hand, are more color specific in their targeting and go after only pigmented spots and patches, leaving the surrounding skin minimally traumatized and essentially intact, without the associated oozing, crusting and peeling, with less pain, minimal risk of infection or scarring, and a much shorter recovery time.
The broad range of wavelengths of IPL light together with Smart Filters will allow targeted treatment for many skin conditions and hair reduction (except for poorly colored, grey, blond or white hair). This process will also stimulate your skin cells to regenerate new collagen and thus restore your skin to its natural tone and texture, blending its colors and making it smoother, vibrant and younger looking. Note that it’s the heating of the pigmented brown or red cells that causes photo-rejuvenation and the therapeutic effect of IPL. Skin conditions that are successfully treated with IPL photofacials include freckles, age spots, sun spots, liver spots, birthmarks, pigmented and red acne scars, uneven skin tone, superficial skin wrinkling, very fine facial spider veins (broken capillaries), diffuse redness associated with rosacea, cherry angiomas and even acne reduction. Note that rosacea is a chronic condition and cannot be “cured” with any laser or light, however its appearance can be significantly improved with IPL phototherapy.
ROSACEA IPL TREATMENT – BEFORE AND AFTER
IPL treatments should be avoided in the hair bearing areas of the lower face in male patients, since the treatment may also target the dark facial hair resulting in unintended hair reduction. In these areas, a superficial laser peel, known as microlaser peel, would be a better and safer alternative, since the ablative laser targets the water content of the skin cells rather than the color content of the hair.
People are often surprised to learn that most skin types can be treated because the deeper layers of the skin are minimally traumatized and essentially intact. Only a comprehensive consultation with an experienced cosmetic surgeon/doctor will determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
IPL SKIN REJUVENATION FOR PHOTOAGED SKIN
IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION FOR DARK SKIN
IPL phototherapy can be used on any part of the body. The most common areas are those most exposed to the damaging effects of sunlight. The most popular skin rejuvenation treatments are on the face, neck and décolleté, back of hands, chest and shoulders.
IPL PHOTOFACIAL FOR SUN SPOTS REMOVAL
IPL SKIN REJUVENATION FOR CHEST
Since skin tanning stimulates the growth and severity of pigmented spots, one should avoid tanning before and after IPL treatments for more effective and enduring results. It is particularly important to avoid tanning before IPL treatments for hair reduction sessions, since the treatment capitalizes on the color difference between the hair and the surrounding skin. Tanning decreases this color difference and makes the treatment potentially more challenging, less safe and less effective. One should also avoid the use of photosensitizing medications before a treatment, as these may exaggerate the skin response to treatment.
Numbing cream is applied on the bare skin about an hour before the procedure and is removed just before the treatment starts. Adequate baseline photos are also taken for later comparison. You will be comfortably seated, wearing protective goggles. Dr. R. Dishakjian, the cosmetic surgeon at the medical spa, will then carefully examine your skin, select certain settings of the IPL machine, and spread a layer of cooling gel in between the skin and the IPL hand-piece. After spot testing your skin response against a variety of settings of the IPL machine, the best setting is selected and the skin rejuvenating treatment starts. Patients often describe a sensation of rubber snap on the skin as the light energy is delivered.
Note that the Sciton BBL system used at our medical spa is an industry leader in IPL technology, offers one of the largest treatment areas on the IPL hand-piece (15 x 45 mm spot size) and comes with an integrated sapphire cooling tip, making the treatment sessions fast and efficient while maximizing patient comfort and safety. Treatment time depends on the area of the body being treated. A face treatment for example, typically takes a few minutes of actual treatment time. After your treatment, Dr. Dishakjian will instruct you on the skin care instruction to maximize comfort, safety and effectiveness of the skin rejuvenation procedure.
Depending on the application for which an IPL is used, in the immediate aftermath of the procedure you may feel like a sun burn, and your skin may show diffuse patchy pinkish areas, which often disappear within a few hours. You will often be advised to cover your skin with a protective skin ointment for the first day or so, after which regular make up may be applied. Depending on the setting, some mild swelling may also occur during this period. You will notice gradual flaking of freckles and sunspots and/or disappearance of blood vessels within one to three weeks. The ultimate result should be a rejuvenated skin, more even complexion with better tone and texture, and more youthful, vibrant look.
Depending on the indication for the IPL Photofacial treatment, one or more treatment sessions may be needed for optimal outcome. For instance, when targeting sun spots, a single robust treatment session is often adequate, whereas treatment for Rosacea, broken capillaries and hair may require several sessions. Depending on the application, the results are often long term. For instance, with adequate sun protection, many patients experience relief from unsightly sun spots for 2-3 years. There is also emerging evidence that regular periodic IPL skin rejuvenating treatments (1-2 times a year), over many years, may in fact delay skin aging significantly, maintaining a more youthful and glowing appearance.
We are located in the northwest San Fernando Valley, SFV, with easy connection from most local Los Angeles freeways. Click the “Contact” button at the top for directions. You may also reach our Los Angeles medical spa by calling 818-832-4500. Our receptionist will be delighted to assist you with any enquiries regarding the cost of IPL photorejuvenation, additional information, or scheduling a comprehensive consultation with the cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Raffi Dishakjian. Consultations with the doctor are free with the purchase of any service. We charge a nominal refundable consultation fee for the first office visit only. This fee is fully credited towards a subsequently purchased service.
BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY. click here…
