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Cosmetic Specialties |
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| Therapies For |
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| Anti-Aging |
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| Skin Rejuvenation |
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| Body Sculpting |
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IPL
Typical Treatments
FAQs
Intense Pulsed Light™ (IPL) skin
treatments using the photorejuvenation process represent a breakthrough
in age-defying skin care. This new technique treats skin damage
non-invasively — there is no disruption of the skin's epidermal
surface. IPL treatments address the effects of photoaging and sun
damage with low risk of complications and no recovery time.
IPL is the gold standard for photorejuvenation. This FDA-cleared,
patented technology provides dramatic results for a variety of benign
conditions, including age spots, sun-induced freckles, symptoms of
rosacea, birthmarks, unsightly veins, acne scarring and other blemishes
— even unwanted hair.
Why choose IPL over other treatment options? Laser resurfacing and
deep chemical peels often send patients into hiding, as they wait for
redness and swelling to subside. Microdermabrasion addresses skin
irregularities, but is not effective against all complexion problems
including redness, flushing and broken capillaries. Face lifts and
other surgical procedures are far too invasive for younger patients and
"baby boomers" who simply want to revitalize their appearance without
recovery downtime.
Typical Treatments
The Science of Light: IPL™ Helps Restore the Skin's Youthful Glow
There are an overwhelming number of options available to improve the
skin's appearance, from creams and peels to microdermabrasion and laser
treatments. Can any of these procedures provide significant improvement
without interrupting daily routines?
IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation offers a solution that:
- Addresses skin conditions that are most visible
- Treats the entire face, not only small spots
- Causes little discomfort
- Offers an immediate return to routine activities
- Provides gradual, natural-looking improvement
- Produces long-lasting results
Photorejuvenation with IPL is the most versatile of all treatment
options. IPL can treat numerous skin conditions at once. It is
effective on red blemishes that originate from blood vessels, as well
as brown pigment blemishes in the form of freckles, age spots and other
sun damage. IPL also treats the neck, chest and hands, where sun damage
is often most visible.
Getting Started
Practitioners determine an IPL treatment plan for each new patient,
accounting for the number and severity of skin conditions being
treated, as well as skin type. On average, four to six treatments are
recommended, scheduled at three-week intervals. Each session usually
lasts about 20 minutes, with patients returning to normal activity
immediately afterwards, in fact, patients can often schedule their IPL
treatments over their lunch hour. IPL treatments provide gradual,
natural improvement with excellent long-term results.
What to Expect
Before treatment, a cold gel is usually applied to the areas to be
treated and patients wear protective eyewear. During treatment, a
physician or trained staff member gently applies the smooth,
crystalline surface of the IPL handpiece to the skin. Light is
delivered to the skin surface in precise pulses that are typically
pain-free. Occasionally some signs of treatment, such as redness, can
last for one or two hours. In most cases, the entire face is treated,
but the therapy can also work well on the neck, chest and hands.
Results from a full series of treatments usually last for a year or
more.
IPL treats the damaged superficial layer of the skin, while
delivering thermal energy to deeper tissue. Clinical studies support a
positive effect on collagen production, which helps firm and tighten
the skin. Some providers may refer to Photorejuvenation with IPL under
other commercial names such as FotoFacial™, EpiFacial or others.
Prospective patients should verify that they will be treated with IPL
technology patented by Lumenis™.
FAQs
Why IPL™ and BOTOX®?
BOTOX has long been used for medical procedures, such as reducing
muscle spasms. The cosmetic use of BOTOX skyrocketed following FDA
clearance in 2002 for its use in treating glabellar lines (the wrinkles
between the eyebrows). BOTOX pioneer Dr. Jean Carruthers describes the
use of Botox with IPL as "complementary" because:
- BOTOX gives outstanding results for lines and wrinkles.
- IPL clears the "canvas of the face," smoothing away various brown
and red conditions while improving general texture and skin tone.
- While BOTOX's effects take time to appear, IPL effects begin quickly, giving patients near-term, tangible results.
- BOTOX and IPL treatments can be performed during the same office visit to produce dramatic effects with minimal time investment.
How is IPL used to treat benign vascular lesions?
Aging, sun exposure and other factors can cause the appearance of
broken capillaries and blood vessels on the face known as
telangiectasias, which appear as spider veins. Sometimes broken
capillaries can cause a diffused redness in the skin, called erythema,
a source of social embarrassment for many people. Rosacea is a common
skin condition that is characterized by diffused erythema. All of these
conditions respond well to IPL.
For unsightly veins on the legs, both IPL and Nd:YAG laser
technologies together are capable of addressing these lesions. During
treatment, Intense Pulsed Light or laser light is absorbed by the blood
in these small veins, heating and destroying the vessels. Over time the
destroyed veins are reabsorbed and disappear. IPL or Nd:YAG laser
systems can also be used to treat varicose veins, which are deeper,
bluer veins.
What are IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation?
The term "Photorejuvenation" refers to the non-ablative,
non-invasive treatment of red and brown pigment that leaves a smooth
skin texture and even complexion, yielding a more youthful appearance.
IPL Skin Treatments are a safe, effective and popular way to improve
the signs of aging from the face, neck, chest, arms and hands. This
in-office procedure is performed by a physician or trained medical
staff member and typically requires four to six sessions of about 20
minutes each, performed at approximately three-week intervals.
What are the advantages of IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation?
In addition to effectively treating multiple symptoms and locations
in each session, the IPL procedure is gentle, non-invasive and safe,
requiring no downtime. In fact, many people even schedule their
sessions during their lunch breaks. Additionally, IPL treatments are
customized to each individual's specific skin type and condition,
providing the best possible results.
Who is a candidate for this procedure?
Any man or woman who shows the signs of aged and sun-damaged skin is
a candidate for IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation. A brief
consultation with an IPL specialist should provide all the information
needed.
How are IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation performed?
Before treatment, a cold gel is usually applied to the area to be
treated, and patients are given protective eyewear. During treatment,
the smooth, crystalline surface of the IPL handpiece is gently applied
to the skin, delivering precise pulses of light to the area being
treated. IPL treatments are usually pain-free, but an anesthetic cream
can be used if the light pulses are uncomfortable. Some patients
compare the sensation to a light pinch or the snap of a rubber band.
Treatment sessions usually last about 20 minutes, and a complete
program usually includes four to six sessions.
After treatment, patients can immediately return to normal routines
and activities. Occasionally evidence of treatment such as redness or
blotchiness may last for an hour or two.
Why are multiple treatments necessary?
Several IPL treatments are required to provide gradual,
natural-looking improvement with very low risk. Results usually last a
year or more.
How much do IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation cost?
Costs vary depending on the portion of the body where the procedure
is performed, the severity of the skin condition and other factors.
Compared to other aesthetic procedures, IPL Skin Treatments are quite
affordable. IPL is usually priced above microdermabrasion and some
chemical peels, but less than laser resurfacing and cosmetic surgeries.
IPL procedures are not usually covered by health insurance.
How can I find the right doctor for IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation?
Those interested in IPL should talk with a physician or someone
already experienced in IPL Skin Treatments. Some providers may refer to the procedure under other brand
names, such as FotoFacial, EpiFacial, Photoblush, WrinkleLight or
EpiLight Skin Therapy. Verify that the treatment provider uses the
patented and perfected Lumenis™ IPL technology.
Are these treatments FDA-cleared? Are they safe?
Lumenis IPL has been available and FDA-cleared since 1995.
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