Complete Guide To IPL Skin Rejuvenation

What Is IPL Skin Rejuvenation?

Also referred to as photorejuvenation, IPL is one of the most sought-after skin care technologies today that helps people correct some flaws in their skin and keep their youthful glow. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, a technology that has been around since the early 1990s and has been harnessed for the purpose of skin care.

It is basically a light therapy that is used in a variety of beauty and skin treatments. In most cases, the technology makes use of a high-powered handheld device that delivers multiple wavelengths from a light source. These light waves are known to have a desirable impact on the skin when used with the right wavelengths and as a result of a predetermined time of exposure.

Is IPL Light or Laser?

Contrary to some people’s notion, IPL skin rejuvenation uses light waves and not laser.

IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light simultaneously and therefore has more-generalised effects on the skin, whereas lasers employ very specific individual wavelengths to produce very specific effects. Different lasers are used to produce different, specific effects.

Benefits Of IPL Skin Rejuvenation

There are considerable benefits one can gain by undergoing an IPL Skin Rejuvenation treatment and these benefits are the very ones that make people choose this treatment over others. Here are some of them:

• IPL is perfect for treating some imperfections in the skin and improve its overall appearance. It may effectively remove certain types of brown spots and red splotches. It is also known to reduce the size of skin pores for a more-youthful result. Furthermore, it also helps to improve the skin quality, texture, and smoothness.
• IPL is also a known treatment for skin problems like rosacea, some forms of hyperpigmentation, spider veins, broken capillaries, stretch marks, age and sunspots, and other skin conditions.
• Providing your skin is suitable, it may be used on many different parts of the body.
• More importantly, it is a non-surgical treatment that can be done while you are on a break from the office. This means that you don’t need much downtime to improve your looks.

What Happens In IPL Treatment

IPL is a non-surgical treatment so it can be done quickly and without much downtime for recovery. Ideally, a session lasts only about half an hour or so. The length of time greatly depends on the size and scope of the treatment you will undergo.

Prior to the procedure, the doctor will discuss with you whether it is suitable for you, how it will be done and the results that you can expect. This is very important so you would have a clear understanding and a practical expectation from the treatment.

A topical anaesthetic cream is usually applied for half an hour or so, prior to the procedure.

During the procedure, the patient will wear eye protection while a topical gel is applied to the targeted and surrounding skin areas to avoid overheating. You will be given a chilled-air blower to hold so you may direct cool air towards the treatment area.

A hand-held IPL applicator is pressed gently on the skin area that needs the treatment. It has a very smooth and transparent surface that emits light. The device shoots intense light from a range of wavelengths onto the targeted skin area.

This light initiates the production of collagen that remodels the skin to make it smoother. At the same time, it reduces discolouration (although pigment will initially darken before flaking away), redness, and spots. The tissues on the targeted area that were damaged are removed by the body naturally. The wavelengths can be adjusted depending on the treatment goals for optimum results.

IPL Skin Rejuvenation Side Effects & Important Considerations

IPL is known to be very versatile and effective. However, it does not guarantee the same result for every skin type. As well, different people with the same skin conditions may not get the same outcomes. IPL is more effective on fair and pale skin complexions as compared to dark or tan skin types.

A little discomfort can also be expected from the procedure. Although it is non-invasive and non-surgical, the light waves may cause some stinging or a mild burning sensation. For around 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, a patient may feel like the treated area has been sunburned. In rare cases, blistering or scabs may develop following the IPL.

Your doctor will advise you against direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight both before and after the procedure. As well, direct exposure to hot water streams, like a hot shower and soaking in the bathtub with hot water may be discouraged.

For best results, your clinician may advise more than a single IPL skin rejuvenation session. Some treatment goals require multiple sessions to achieve the desired results and some skin types may need more exposure than the others. Commonly, each IPL session is scheduled every two to four weeks. This means that while the procedure is quick, the whole process may take some considerable time. Any pigment spots in the treated area are likely to darken and then flake and fade over about a week on the face, but will take longer on the body.

IPL does not stop the ageing process, it only improves the texture and appearance of the skin. It offers a long-lasting effect but not a completely permanent solution.

IPL Skin Treatment Cost

Each IPL treatment may cost from around $250 to $500, depending on the size and scope of the targeted area. Very large areas may cost more.

Choosing The Right Clinic For IPL Skin Rejuvenation

Your choice of practitioner clinic is very important in ensuring that you get the right treatment and achieve your skincare goals. Like any other medical procedures, you need to choose the right doctor to handle the procedure for best results.

Primarily, make sure that the clinic is certified and licensed to carry out such procedures. You may need a series of treatments hence, it is advisable to choose a clinic and a practitioner that you can easily access and go to. Consultations are also an important part of the process so make sure your clinic is open to this and can readily commit to a long term relationship.

Find a practitioner that has been proven to provide commendable services and a good track record of conducting the procedure and other related treatments. You also have to choose one that you are comfortable talking to, since communication is an important key to a successful treatment. Your practitioner must be willing to discuss the pros and cons of the procedure and provide you with options.

Summary

As in other skin treatment technologies, IPL has its pros and cons and it doesn’t work the same for everyone. Indeed, it may not be recommended or advisable in some cases. This is why it is very important to discuss the treatment with your clinician before undergoing the procedure to develop a more realistic expectation about it.