An IPL photofacial, also known as IPL photorejuvenation or simply IPL, is a tried and true treatment for evening skin tone with the use of intense pulsed light technology. Skin that looks blotchy or mottled is often the result of brown pigment from accumulated sun damage and visible hemoglobin in the small blood vessels in your face. During an IPL photofacial, the targeted application of light and heat breaks up this pigment and coagulates small veins, which your body then naturally clears. IPL also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, supporting the rejuvenative effects of this treatment.
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What does IPL photofacial treat?
IPL photofacials can be an excellent option for treating diffuse redness/flushing, visible blood vessels (i.e. broken capillaries), and the patches of brown pigmentation that occur as a result of sun damage and accumulate over time. As the variety of different tones in your skin is reduced, the result is a clearer complexion that ultimately looks healthier and more youthful. IPL can also be a good choice for treating acne scarring, as well as achieving an overall improvement in skin texture, fine lines, and the appearance of pores.
How long do IPL photofacial results last?
For optimal results, we typically recommend a series of three treatments performed 2-3 weeks apart. We find that most patients require three treatments to reduce pigmentation and five treatments to reduce redness. Following your initial series, we recommend that you return for a single maintenance treatment every six months to best maintain your new radiance. We recommend investing in a daily regimen of medical grade skincare such as ZO® Skin Health to support your skin’s healthy glow between treatments. The use of minimum SPF 30 physical sunscreen year-round is also essential to protect your skin and prevent future damage.
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Your Questions Answered
An IPL photofacial is usually a well-tolerated procedure. You will experience a minor degree of warmth and a snapping sensation against the skin during your treatment. Your provider will walk you through the process so you know exactly what to expect at each step. We prioritize your comfort and welcome you to bring up any questions or concerns with your provider. We’ll take pre- and post-treatment VISIA® skin analysis photos to document the changes in your skin so we can assess and monitor your skin’s transformation together.
You may experience a minor degree of redness and/or swelling following your treatment, which usually subsides within 1-2 hours and can be easily camouflaged with makeup. We recommend being careful not to overheat the skin immediately after your treatment to reduce this side effect.
Although we only offer treatments with excellent safety profiles, an IPL photofacial is still a medical procedure that carries a certain amount of risk, and it’s important to us that patients are fully educated on their treatment of interest so they can make an informed choice. Although the majority of patients do not experience complications, potential risks include:
- Bruising: It is rare to experience bruising from IPL. We recommend avoiding aspirin (ASA), ibuprofen, and other blood-thinning medications prior to the treatment, if possible, to minimize the chances of bruising.
- Skin injury, infection, and scarring: It is rare for IPL to cause a skin injury or superficial blistering. It is also rare for an infection to occur, since the skin is not typically broken. If a skin injury does occur, you must keep it clean, treat it with an antibiotic ointment, and refrain from picking at a crust as this can lead to infection and/or scarring. Skin injuries typically heal within 2-14 days. There is a less than 0.5% possibility of a skin injury leaving behind a permanent scar.
- Microcrusting: Immediately after treatment, you may notice some darkening of your existing sun damage, which will continue to darken up to 24 hours after the treatment. It will take on the appearance of “coffee grounds”. Over a period of 3-5 days, you will notice these microcrusts begin to slough off. It is important not to pick at them, as this can lead to a skin injury.
- Pigmentation: You cannot have an IPL treatment if you are tanned. It is also important that you allow any tanning lotions to fade, and to refrain from using tanning beds for 3-4 weeks prior to the procedure. It’s also important to use a sunscreen zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide based sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 for two weeks post-treatment, as your skin will be more sun sensitive during this time.
- Eye protection: Patients are required to use Clinic 805 protective eye goggles during their treatment to prevent the possibility of eye sensitivity from the IPL light.
If you are tanned, or have recently been exposed to the sun in the area to be treated, we recommend postponing your IPL treatment. IPL is not right for you if you have a darker skin type, are pregnant, have been on Accutane® within the past three months, or have an active cold sore. You should advise us of all oral and topical medications that you are currently using prior to treatment, as some medications are photosensitizing and IPL should not be performed while you are taking such medications. You should also let us know if you have recently used any type of gold therapy on your skin, as this can cause a blueish/gray discolouration.
During your consultation, our experienced providers will thoroughly assess your skin and ensure that IPL is the right option for you or recommend alternate treatments. If your concerns include redness and facial veins, these can only be reduced with either IPL or a laser treatment. For lightening unwanted pigmentation and reducing the appearance of sun damage, daily use of the ZO® Skin Health medical grade skincare line can help with achieving these goals, as an alternative or complement to IPL.