FotoFacial Skin Rejuvenation - Erase Age Spots

What is Intense Pulsed Light?
Intense pulsed light , also known as IPL, photo-facial, fotofacial, and photo rejuvenation, is a proven skin therapy that was pioneered by Dr. Patrick Bitter Jr. and is based on emitting high intensity pulses of light (not lasers) to penetrate the skin and rid you of various complaints. There are different wavelengths for different levels or types of penetration.

How Does it Work?
A highly advanced computer regulates the light pulse to a specific wavelength range, which in turn heats the target, thereby damaging or otherwise destroying the targeted lesion while sparing the surrounding healthy or "normal" tissue. The penetration depth and degree of heat is highly controlled so that most complications contributed to these specific factors are not an issue with Intense Pulsed Light Therapy. With IPL fotofacial rejuvenation the light pulses are directed at the blood vessels, age spots, freckles, flat pigmented birthmarks and other types of discolorations.
Depending on the wavelength used, the tissue targeted is either hemoglobin in the dermis or melanin in the epidermis. The target is heated and damaged or destroyed, thereby ridding you of unwanted hyper-pigmentation or blood vessels. Due to the thermal response generated by the IPL device, the production of new collagen has been noted as an additional positive side effect of the treatment. The micro vascular blood vessels are targeted causing an inflammatory response, resulting in the production of new collagen fibers.
Although it is possible to actually shrink sebaceous glands (oil glands), pore size, with repeated treatments, the number of treatments necessary to achieve this result varies from patient to patient.
How is the IPL Photo rejuvenation different from CO2 or Erbium Laser Resurfacing?
IPL photo rejuvenation is a noninvasive, safe method to improve the look and feel of the skin without undergoing the pain and downtime associated with deep laser resurfacing. Deep laser resurfacing removes the entire epidermis leaving the skin vulnerable to infection and requires 3-4 weeks of patient downtime and post healing.

Why should I go to Perfect Skin for my fotofacial treatments?
We get the best possible results. Our fotofacial treatments take longer (1-2 hours each) because we do multiple passes with different settings to specifically target the skin conditions you want improved. After your fotofacial treatment we use the VersaPulse C aesthetic laser to go over any resistant redness, spider veins, or pigmented lesions you may have. This combination results in much greater improvement in your skin with each session. We also combine fotofacial with Levulan in a procedure called PhotoDynamic Skin Rejuvenation. This is the ideal treatment for moderate to severely sun-damaged skin. If you have pre-cancerous skin lesions (AK's) or if you have had them treated in the past this is an excellent way to improve your skin.

Am I a good candidate for IPL?
If you are prone to keloids, hyper or hypo pigmentation, are dark-skinned, darkly tanned or do not react well to burns you may not be an ideal candidate for Intense Pulsed Light Therapy. Also, if you have ethnicity (like Greek, Italian or African American, etc.) in your biological family, you may be prone to hyper or hypo pigmentation resulting from the procedure. An ideal patient would be of white European descent with elastic, non-oily skin. Although many other types of skin are treated successfully, only a qualified doctor or dermatologist can determine if you are eligible for treatment.

What should I expect during my IPL treatment?
During the fotofacial procedure you will wear protective eyewear. A topical anesthetic will be applied. After the treatment area is "numb" a cold, soothing gel will be applied and a glass prism (pyramid) will then be placed over the gel and treatment area. An intense flash of light, or pulse, is flashed through the prism where it is directed at the treatment area to rid you of your complaints. This initial treatment may not be as aggressive as your following treatments so as not to possibly damage the skin and to determine your skin's tolerance for further fotofacial treatments. Fotofacialt reatments are usually performed every 3-4 weeks.

What to expect after the procedure:
Since there is no real "downtime" you may resume your normal activities after an IPL treatment. However you must protect your treatment area from UV light, be it natural sunlight or tanning beds. You may be slightly pink or red directly after your treatment as well as have mild swelling. This should subside in a few days and if not you should inform your doctor.

What risks & complications are associated with IPL therapy?
Although rare, blistering or slight bleeding is possible as is hypo- or hyper-pigmentation (lightened or darkened areas of skin). If pigmentation problems occur, it may be anywhere from 3-12 months before normal skin tone returns. This is especially so with hypo-pigmentation (lack of color). Be aware that some patients may experience permanent skin pigmentation changes. Scarring is possible although it too is a rare occurrence.
Can't I just use topical agents to reduce wrinkles & improve my skin?
Topical agents such as wrinkle creams or moisturizers help give the top layer of skin the vitamins and nutrients that can help this layer look younger and healthier. Some creams also work as exfoliants, meaning they rub off thin layers of dead or damaged skin. If these creams and moisturizers contain sunscreen as well as essential oils, vitamins and minerals, they can help prevent further sun damage and, therefore, can slow down the wrinkling process. However, topical agents can only minimally improve damaged collagen below the skin's surface.

IPL Photo-Rejuvenation

What is IPL Photorejuvenation?
IPL Photorejuvenation is a non-invasive procedure that uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to erase the signs of aging from the face, neck, chest, and hands. It is an in-office procedure performed by a physician or trained medical staff member. A treatment program typically includes four to six sessions of about 20 minutes each, performed at three-week intervals.

What can IPL Photorejuvenation treat?
IPL Photorejuvenation has the unique capacity to treat multiple symptoms of aging skin on your entire face in each treatment session. Among these are fine lines, red blemishes, mottled coloration, broken blood vessels, pigment discoloration such as freckles and age spots, enlarged pores, coarse or rough skin, loss of skin tone and elasticity, and general sun damage. The result is a youthful, smooth and revitalized facial appearance. IPL can also treat spots, discolored areas and other tell-tale signs of aging on your hands, chest and neck.

Why is IPL Photorejuvenation better than other treatments?
In addition to treating multiple symptoms and locations in each session, IPL is gentle, non-invasive and safe. Because of this, there is no "down time." You see results in the complexion and the skin texture of the entire face. You can return to your normal routines and activities immediately. In fact, many people even schedule their sessions during their lunch break. Additionally, IPL treatments are customized to your specific skin type and color, providing the best possible results.

Who is a candidate for this new procedure?
Whether you're a man or a woman, if you are showing the signs of aging and sun damaged skin, you should consider IPL Photo rejuvenation to help you look as young and healthy as you feel. A brief consultation with an IPL specialist is the way to find out.

How is IPL Photo rejuvenation performed?
Before treatment, a cold gel is usually applied to the area to be treated, and you may be given dark glasses to shield your eyes from the bright light.
During treatment, the smooth glass surface of the IPL handpiece is gently applied to your skin, delivering pulses of light to the area being treated. IPL treatments are usually considered pain-free, but an anesthetic cream can be used if you find the light pulses at all uncomfortable. Treatment sessions usually last about 20 minutes, and a complete program usually includes four to six sessions.

After treatment, you can return to your normal routines and activities immediately. Occasionally, there may be signs of treatment such as redness or blotchiness that can last from a few hours to a few days. You will see gradual improvement from each session, resulting in a dramatic improvement by the end of your treatment program. Results are long-lasting, usually a year or longer. The treated skin is more sunsensitive for two to three weeks and is not usually done when people have a tan.