Throughout Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, IPL photofacials are offered in various skin care centers to help improve the look and feel of skin. Over time, frequent exposure to the sun causes skin damage, including:
• Broken capillaries
• Age or sun spots
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Facial sagging
In addition to sun damage, the skin naturally begins to decrease oil, collagen and elastin production – all of which cause sagging, fine lines to form around the eyes and forehead, and areas of dryness. The Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) photofacial is a great solution to smoothing the skin and eliminating signs of skin damage or aging. The light stimulates collagen production, which in turn plumps up fine lines, softens skin and minimizes discoloration.
The IPL facial only takes about 60 minutes for all over rejuvenation, or just 30 minutes for selected areas. To prepare the skin for the photofacial, cooling gel is applied to the face. With the application of a cooling gel, patients can expect the treatment to be virtually pain free, and the gel is cleaned off once the desired areas have been treated by the light. A moisturizer and sunscreen are massaged into the skin to soothe and protect skin from the sun.
For best results to eliminate skin discoloration or minimize fine lines and wrinkles, skin care experts suggest an IPL treatment for 3 to 5 sessions, between 3 or 4 weeks apart. Maintenance sessions once a year are also suggested to keep skin looking and feeling rejuvenated. If you are hesitant about a harsh treatment, such as resurfacing or dermabrasion, then IPL is an ideal procedure for you. The light laser used is gentle enough on the skin that there is no healing time required, yet it is still effective in reducing fine lines or sunspots. Keep in mind that if your main concern is fine lines and wrinkles, then Botox may be the best solution for you.
After receiving an IPL treatment, it is very important to follow all of the instructions provided by the doctor. Moisturizer is essential to keep skin nourished and calm – and since the skin will be sensitive to light, never go outside without sunscreen. Creating an effective skin care routine, using cleanser, exfoliator and moisturizer frequently throughout the week will keep the skin looking youthful long after an IPL treatment.
The treatment isn’t just for the face, either – it is an ideal solution to smooth or even out skin tone on the entire body.