Fotofacial Using Intense Pulse Light
A “fotofacial,” uses intense pulses of light (IPL) to penetrate deep into the skin. Most appropriate for lighter skin, IPL™ causes collagen and blood vessels below the epidermis to constrict, reducing redness and age lines.
People who may benefit from a fotofacial have:
- Blotchy, sun-damaged, or discolored skin
- Freckles
- Large pores
- Wrinkles
During the procedure
Before treatment begins, baseline photos will be taken and a topical numbing cream will be applied. To ensure maximal comfort during the procedure, we allow 45 minutes for numbing. Once the numbing time has elapsed, the numbing will be cleaned off and then a cool gel will be applied to the treatment area. The gel helps cool the epidermis during treatment and provides a good point of conduction for the handpiece. Brief pulses of light will be applied through the lubricated handpiece, but protective eye covering will protect you from the flashes of light. The entire treatment lasts about 7 minutes. During the treatment it is normal to feel heat from the pulses, but the treatment is overall very tolerable.
After an IPL (fotofacial)
Most benefits of IPL occur gradually in the weeks following treatment. Redness, swelling and associated discomfort may occur briefly after treatment. No downtime should be expected after the procedure, however, some of the brown spots may look darker before they fade or slough off. Some patients may require more than one treatment to achieve the desired results, and regular treatments are usually required to maintain results. One of our providers can help you create a treatment plan that works best for you.