This Overview Will Help You Decide the Best Path to Reaching Your Skin Care Goals
Skin care jargon can feel complicated if you’re unfamiliar with the terminology.
For example, you may have seen the terms “IPL laser treatment,” “IPL photofacial,” or “IPL treatment” used interchangeably. That many different names can be confusing, but we’re here to clarify!
Keep reading to learn more about IPL treatment, what it does, what the procedure is like, and whether it’s the same as a photofacial. Then, if you live in the Pittsburgh area, schedule your IPL consultation at Cosmetic Laser Centers℠.
What Is IPL Treatment?
IPL is an acronym for intense pulsed light. This skin treatment uses unfocused, scattered wavelengths of light to penetrate through the layers of your skin. The light heats your skin, prompting your body to discard unwanted or damaged skin cells.
IPL treatment helps reduce the appearance of:
- Acne and acne scarring.
- Sun damage, like liver spots or age spots.
- Discolored or hyperpigmented skin caused by hormonal changes.
- Scarring and stretch marks.
- Redness from rosacea.
- Spider veins on the face.
- Fine wrinkles.
IPL Is Not a Laser Treatment
Although some people may refer to it as “IPL laser treatment,” IPL does not use lasers. The light wavelengths it employs are less harsh than laser-resurfacing treatments, which remove the damaged outer layer of your skin.
IPL Is a Photofacial
IPL facial treatment can also be called an IPL photofacial. Treatments on other parts of the body other than the face, however, are not considered photofacials.
You can get IPL on your face, as well as your neck, hands, or chest, where visible damage caused by sun exposure is often most prominent.
Before IPL Treatment
Before receiving IPL treatments, don’t:
- Work on your tan, whether it’s outdoors, in a tanning bed, or with tanning creams, for at least four weeks before your scheduled treatment.
- Take medications that may make you sensitive to the sun, such as certain antibiotics.
- Take aspirin or other blood-thinning over-the-counter medications.
- Wear perfume, make-up, or deodorant on treatment areas. These can irritate your skin in combination with IPL.
- Wax, get collagen shots, or have a chemical peel for two weeks before IPL.
During IPL Treatment
During your treatment, whether it’s an IPL photofacial or for another part of your body, your provider will clean your skin, apply gel on the treatment area, and apply eye covers or give you special glasses to protect your eyes.
Your provider will apply the handheld IPL device to the treatment area and begin the light pulses. Most people describe the sensation of IPL as a rubber band snapping against your skin. Most people find it to be tolerable.
After IPL Treatment
An IPL treatment takes about five to 15 minutes to complete, although larger areas of your body may require more time. For a few hours after your treatment, you may feel like you have a sunburn in the treated area of your skin.
Talk to your IPL treatment provider about when it’s safe to return to your normal skin care routine – usually in about a week.
You may need up to seven sessions to complete your treatment, but you may begin seeing results in just a couple weeks.
Your results can last up to a year, but you may need annual treatments to maintain your results. Remember that IPL can improve the texture and tone of your skin, but it does not prevent future aging.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IPL?
Some people are not good candidates for IPL, but there are other skin treatments that could work for them. Contact Cosmetic Laser Centers to learn about your options.
You shouldn’t get IPL if you:
- Are sensitive to light.
- Have recently tanned.
- Use a retinoid cream.
- Are very dark-skinned.
- Have a skin-resurfacing disorder.
- Are prone to developing keloid scars.
IPL is best for people with light- to medium-toned skin.
Find Out If IPL Treatment Is Right For You
The medical providers at Cosmetic Laser Centers can help you determine what type of treatment could help you meet your skin care goals, whether that’s IPL or another professional service. We’ll help you feel like your best self again.
Find Cosmetic Laser Centers at two convenient practice locations in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Call us at (724) 935-4200 or fill out our contact form to request a consultation for IPL.