If you have experienced the luxury of a spa, you know how beautiful you feel after an amazing skincare treatment. A photofacial (sometimes called a foto facial) takes the invigorating and youthful glow you see after a facial treatment to the next level. Photofacial Rejuvenation can give you dramatic results without downtime or surgery.
Intense Pulsed Light™ (IPL) Photofacials use the energy in concentrated light to safely and effectively address cosmetic issues on the delicate skin of the face. Years of exposure to the sun and the effects of age cause imperfections in coloration and fine lines around the eyes, on the forehead, and around the mouth. Although this technology is called photo “facial,” it can also be used to erase imperfections in the skin of the neck, chest or décolletage, and hands.
How does IPL work?
Intense Pulsed Light is not a laser but works on your skin in a similar way. Broadband light, named for the multiple wavelengths emitted, penetrates the skin at several different levels. The light is absorbed by melanin in the skin or the blood in tiny broken vessels or spider veins being targeted. It can be an effective treatment for rosacea, as well. The discolorations can be due to freckles, sun spots, melasma, or other uneven colorations.
Because IPL targets melanin, it is not recommended for people with darker skin. Although the light can be filtered to adjust for different skin types and skin tones by your esthetician, some discoloration is possible in people who have a lot of melanin in their skin
When IPL photofacial is used to combat sagging skin and fine lines, it stimulates the collagen in skin cells below the surface. Light rays disrupt the damaged skin cells, which are in turn replaced by cells that give your face resilience and a plumping effect noticeable in young skin.
How does a photofacial feel?
Each session lasts about 20 minutes or less. A photofacial is not painful for most patients. Some report that they feel a mild stinging sensation during the session. You can have a topical anesthetic applied prior to your treatment if you have any concerns about possible discomfort. The esthetician will apply the light to your skin using a smooth hand-held wand. Because the light is very bright, you need to wear goggles to protect your eyes.
What happens after a photofacial?
Results are different for each patient because of differences in skin tone, texture, and exposure to the sun. There may be some redness immediately following your photofacial, but it fades quickly and there is no downtime. You should avoid long exposure to the sun for several days following your treatment. Most patients opt to have a photofacial in the fall or winter when they spend less time outdoors.
How many sessions will I need to achieve the results I want?
At your initial consultation, your provider or esthetician will discuss your goals and give you a realistic idea of the results you can expect from photofacials. Depending on your skin’s properties and condition, you may need multiple sessions. We recommend waiting about 3 weeks between sessions.
If you live in the Kingwood, Texas area and are interested in finding out how an IPL Photofacial can change your appearance, call The Vein Institute & MediSpa at (281) 312-0208. You will meet with Dr. Raymond Little, a board-certified physician with a passion for vascular and aesthetic skin care. Dr. Little can explain how Photofacials can make your skin look refreshed, youthful, and smooth. Call or request an appointment online today.
