With the cold weather finally here, summer feels like forever ago! Unfortunately, for you skin, the effect from the sun can last forever — but it doesn’t have to. One of our favorite procedures, an IPL photofacial can help you correct sun damage and give you a glow worthy of the holiday season.
An IPL photofacial (also photorejuvenation) is a transformative treatment that is primarily used to correct sun damage and hyperpigmentation, but the benefits don’t stop there, IPL is jam packed with benefits. Let’s get into it.
IPL is the acronym for something called Intense Pulsed Light.
It works by producing high-intensity light delivering pulses of broad-spectrum light to the deep layers of the skin. In simpler terms, this means it delivers pulses of broad-spectrum light that emit a specific color which targets the damaged discolored skin while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed.
When light is absorbed by tissue, it heats up the cells and destroys the unwanted pigments — in this case, sunspots. However, an IPL Photofacial addresses a myriad of issues:
Yep, you read that all right! It’s a powerhouse treatment.
The process itself is gradual and, therefore, more gentle than traditional laser therapies. Light therapy also has the added bonus of triggering new collagen growth. By destroying the damaged skin cells, the deeper layers of skin respond by producing new collagen to replace the destroyed cells. The results are firmer, tighter, smoother skin.
This knockout treatment only gets better. One IPL Photofacial session takes only thirty minutes and requires no downtime following the treatment.
However, keep reading — there are a few reasons to get an IPL Photofacial during the cooler months:
For starters, this medically-proven treatment typically takes 3-5 sessions four weeks apart in order to see full results and requires that you have absolutely no suntan during the treatment time: AKA it’s time to embrace the shorter days and cool weather, your skin will thank you.
This is necessary because IPL is attracted to darker pigments, which means the greater the contrast between the skin and the damaged cells, the more efficient the IPL wavelengths will be.
Additionally, following the treatment, it’s imperative to stay out of the sun and ramp skin protections: hats, sunscreen, the works. Following the treatment the skin will be particularly sensitive as it returns to normal and sun exposure can further irritate and damage the skin causing redness and inflammation.
Finally, the healing process isn’t the prettiest: expect to look worse before you look better. Luckily, the cooler weather means it’s easier to cover up, so you can conceal any inflamed skin in comfortable clothing without feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious (quarantine restrictions finally have a silver lining).
Give thanks for sweater weather and glowing skin. We’ll be waiting for your call: (407) 794-0094.