Raleigh, North Carolina
919-867-4455
IPL Photofacial
at Nuderma Health & Med Spa
Remove discoloration and brown spots
Raleigh
IPL
Remove unwanted pigment
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), is a laser light treatment that targets pigment issues, such as brown spots, sun damage and red spots, and rosacea. The bright light passes through the epidermis, drawing out the pigment producing cells and dispersing the uneven pigment. BBL/IPL can be used on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, back arms, legs and just about anywhere else. A Photofacial is another term for IPL is performed on the face only.
How does IPL work?
IPL treatments impact the skin on a molecular level. The scattered wavelengths of intense, visible broad-spectrum light delivered by this treatment works to target different types of pigment producing cells. As light energy is converted into heat energy in the deeper dermal levels of the skin, unwanted pigment-producing cells are heated. Uneven pigment is dispersed, as the destroyed cells are naturally reabsorbed by the body. This makes IPL a suitable treatment for patients who are concerned with brown spots, broken capillaries, sun spots, freckles, and rosacea.
Beyond rejuvenating blotchy, sun-damaged skin, studies have shown that in the long term, consistent IPL treatments can also help to reverse the signs of aging.
Studies have shown that just two to three photofacials a year were able to induce older skin cells to behave like younger skin cells at the genetic level. Moreover, the heat energy that penetrates into the dermis is also able to stimulate collagen production. This results in an improved appearance of the fine lines and wrinkles.
A highly versatile procedure, IPL can be used to remove pigment, damaged skin and aging across many areas of the body. The most commonly treated areas include:
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Face
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Neck
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Chest/Décolleté
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Hands
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Arms
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Legs
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Shoulders
Who is a good candidate?
Not everyone is a suitable patient for IPL. Because of the nature of the treatment, patients with fairer skin types respond best. Patients with darker skin tones, including those of Mediterranean descent, need to be careful with light therapy as it can potentially result in the development of undesirable pigmentation changes. Our experienced staff will assess your skin during your in-person consultation to determine whether an IPL treatment is suitable for you. Alternative treatments that are safer for your skin type will be recommended if IPL is found not to be the best approach for you.
What should you expect?
You will be provided with eyewear before your treatment to protect your eyes from the bright flashes of light. The laser specialist will guide the IPL hand piece to apply brief pulses of light to the skin.
Most patients do not feel much discomfort or pain during an IPL procedure, which is often described as a gentle rubber band snapping against the skin. The length of your treatment depends entirely on the number of areas that are being treated, the size of the treated areas, and the number of passes that are needed. Most treatments, however, can be completed within an hour, which is why IPLs are sometimes referred to as the ‘lunchtime facial’. We will provide you with a more accurate estimate during your in-person consultation.
What happens after the treatment?
There is very minimal downtime after an IPL treatment. While your skin may appear a little red and be warm to the touch immediately after the procedure, you will be able to apply makeup to cover this. After the first treatment, dark spots may appear darker in the first week after a treatment, or they may even crust over. This is entirely normal and can likewise be covered with light makeup. After the first week, you will usually be able to see and enjoy the results of your treatment.
It is absolutely important to protect your skin from the sun after your IPL treatment. You should avoid the sun and apply sunscreen consistently in the first week following your treatment. Sunburns or over-exposure to the sun can cause a recurrence of dark spots, especially while your skin is healing after IPL.
The results from IPL treatments improve over time, with best results seen about three months after your last treatment. Patients who would like to maintain their skin after an initial course of three IPL treatments are encouraged to return for follow up treatments each year.
