By now, most people know the sun is essential to our wellbeing, but can lead to skin cancer and damage to our skin when we do not protect ourselves properly. The good news for those of us who learned about the importance of sunscreen a little too late? Intense pulsed light therapy, most often referred to simply as IPL, can reverse the photoaging caused by sun damage. Learn more about how intense pulsed light therapy in Santa Rosa can help you look and feel your best.
If you are concerned about how your skin looks because of sun damage, fine lines, or dark spots, Allegro MedSpa of Santa Rosa can offer you a skin consultation at our office to see if you could benefit from intense pulsed light therapy (IPL).
Contents
- 1 Fight photoaging with intense pulsed light therapy
- 2 How does IPL work?
- 3 Best candidates for intense pulsed light therapy
- 4 Will one IPL treatment make a difference?
- 5 Can IPL ruin your skin?
- 6 Are IPL results permanent?
- 7 Is IPL a laser facial?
- 8 Here’s how your IPL treatment will go at Allegro
- 9 Intense Pulsed Light Therapy FAQs
- 10 Schedule intense pulsed light therapy in Santa Rosa today!
- 11 Sign up for our newsletter
Fight photoaging with intense pulsed light therapy
An IPL photofacial from Lumenis One is a treatment that rejuvenates the skin for adults with hyperpigmentation, redness, age spots, and broken capillaries on their face and neck—all signs of photoaging.
Our IPL in Santa Rosa is not an invasive procedure, and yet it can be very effective and produce amazing results. Intense pulsed light therapy sends wavelengths of light that warm the skin just enough to set off the natural regeneration process and boost collagen production. As the increase in collagen takes effect, you should see a healthier layer with a more even tone and decreased spots of pigmentation.
With intense pulsed light therapy from Allegro, you will get noticeable improvements in the following signs of photoaging:
- Fine Lines
- Sun Spots
- Freckles
- Spider Veins
- Broken Capillaries
- Hyperpigmentation
How does IPL work?
Broad spectrum pulsed light is transmitted through a continuously cooled applicator handpiece. Cut-off filters in the handpiece change the range of wavelengths, optimizing the light for different applications and skin types.
The light penetrates the tissue into the deeper layers. This energy targets and is absorbed by something called chromophores. Chromophores are responsible for the color of a compound—aka they are the culprits behind your hyperpigmentation. When they absorb the light energy, it damages the chromophores so they break up and can be flushed from your body through its natural regenerative processes. The light energy also boosts your natural healing processes and collagen production. Once it is all said and done, you end up with clearer skin that is more even and youthful looking!
Best candidates for intense pulsed light therapy
Ideal candidates for an IPL photofacial may have sun damage, rosacea, hyperpigmentation (brown spots), rough texture, large pores, flushing, freckles, age and sun spots, or spider veins. Our aesthetic team will assess your skin to see if you are a candidate for an IPL photofacial in Santa Rosa during your private consultation.
Will one IPL treatment make a difference?
There are many benefits of photofacials, even with just one treatment. IPL won’t make hyperpigmentation, spider veins, or sun spots disappear after your first appointment, but most patients report improvements in the tone and condition of their skin. Ideal results typically come from 4 to 6 treatments, maintained with proper skin care and protection from the sun. The great thing is that IPL literally kicks your skin into anti-aging mode, so after years of treatments, you’ll actually look like you’re aging backwards! 🙌
Can IPL ruin your skin?
There is minimal risk of skin damage resulting from intense pulsed light therapy. The whole point of this treatment is to reverse damaged conditions! IPL photofacials are non-invasive and gentle enough for a variety of skin types and tones.
Are IPL results permanent?
When it comes to any anti-aging or damage-reversing treatment, there are no permanent results. With time, you will continue to age naturally. IPL does keep your skin looking and feeling younger and, with proper skincare, you can keep your skin from photoaging for quite some time.
If you’re using IPL to treat deeper skin concerns, such as wrinkles and skin laxity, results will last as long as the collagen production increase is in effect. Our expert aesthetic team helps determine what the ideal frequency for treatments would be to keep your wrinkles at bay.
Is IPL a laser facial?
Nope! It can be easy to assume IPL is a laser facial because at first glance the procedures look similar. They both involve a handpiece that we use to flash lights onto your skin. You may be surprised to learn, however, there is actually a vast difference in the types of light energy used between laser and intense pulsed light therapy.
Laser treatments utilize monochromatic light, typically infrared light. IPL treatments utilize broadband light, which includes all light energies in the color spectrum. What this means is the laser is a far more focused light energy than the “scattered” IPL light. The IPL treatment therefore provides for a gentler option for anyone who wants to tackle sun damage without the downtime often associated with laser facials. Laser facials also tend to be more targeted toward specific skin concerns, whereas IPL facials tackle photoaging more broadly.
Here’s how your IPL treatment will go at Allegro
We perform photofacials inside our Santa Rosa office in one of our minor procedure rooms. The treatment time takes about 20 to 30 minutes. To start the IPL facial, the technician will clean and dry the skin to be treated before covering your eyes with shields. Then, we administer the photofacial using a handheld device that passes over the skin while emitting pulses of light energy. While most patients may feel some discomfort during the photofacial, it is generally tolerable for the quick treatment time.
Side Effects of IPL
One of the best things about intense light therapy is the lack of a recovery period! You will leave your appointment with skin that’s a little red and swollen, and that will go down by itself in about a day. Allegro MedSpa in Santa Rosa recommends patients use an ointment on the skin to decrease irritation and speed healing. It also helps to take anti-inflammatory medication to help decrease swelling.
After several days, the irregularities that once rested under the skin will come to the surface and then begin to flake off. It is necessary to keep your skin protected from the sun at all times after an IPL photofacial treatment and to not pick at your skin while it heals.
Follow up IPL treatments
While you should see visible results after the first session, your skin will attain the best results after several photofacial treatments. Our aesthetic team recommends approximately 4 to 6 treatments scheduled about three weeks apart. When you come in for your consultation and first IPL appointment, we will make sure you have a thorough understanding of what to expect and the timeline of your results.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy FAQs
Should I get laser skin resurfacing, a chemical peel, or dermabrasion?
It’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare. Only after listening to your skin problems, assessing the target areas, and identifying any underlying skin issues can we help you decide if laser skin resurfacing, a chemical peel or dermabrasion treatment will achieve your goals. While they all improve the surface of the skin, each has its own benefits and drawbacks. During your consultation, we can review each option and make a recommendation for your treatment.
How can I help my skin recover after a resurfacing treatment?
A member of our team will provide you with recommendations on how you can help your skin heal after a laser resurfacing treatment. The top rule is to not pick or peel your skin. This could create lasting damage, including scars. You should skip all hair removal methods in the treatment area, which means no shaving, waxing, or depilatory creams. We will also recommend an ointment to help soothe and heal your skin.
How much does IPL cost?
IPL costs vary based on the size and depth of the treatment area, as well as the duration of the treatment. We will discuss all of these factors with you during your initial consultation to determine the best treatment course for you and the final price. In addition, Allegro MedSpa of Santa Rosa often runs treatment specials and discounted packages.
Is IPL safe?
Intense pulsed light therapy has been around for the past 15 years with a great safety track record. In fact, it is one of the most popular and reliable medical spa treatments available in Santa Rosa!
Schedule intense pulsed light therapy in Santa Rosa today!
Imagine soft, beautiful skin and texture! With intense pulsed light therapy from the aesthetic experts at Allegro MedSpa, you’ll be on track to youthful skin that’s even, vibrant, and exactly what you’ve been dreaming about.
We are here to help fulfil your medical spa needs. Give us a call at (707) 537.2123 or get started with a virtual consultation. Don’t forget, you can always shop online for skincare products! We carry Obagi, Alastin, SkinBetter, SkinMedica and more trusted, effective brands.
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