IPL Photorejuvenation
IPL PHOTOREJUVENATIONIntense Pulsed Light
Beauty at the Speed of Light
New IPL Technology
Aesthetic Solutions is the first in the area to offer Ellipse IPL, the next generation in Intense Pulsed Light technology. Equipped with better technology the Ellipse IPL is faster, treats multiple skin conditions, and is more effective in treating resistant areas than traditional IPL machines reducing treatment time while maximizing patient results.
We have been successfully treating patients with IPL in our practice for over 4 years and have had some great testimonials on this universal procedure. We believe in ongoing education to learn about the current, safest, most effective treatments available. After researching many types of light sources, we are happy to be the first practice in the Triangle area with the most advanced technology in IPL today.
IPL-Intense Pulsed Light
IPL Photo-rejuvenation therapy is a light based source that uses energy to treat sun-damaged skin with minimal or no “down-time.” Although it is not a laser IPL can treat many of the same conditions that lasers do, without wounding the skin. IPL is most recommended for sun-damaged skin and is widely recognized for its ability to improve the following skin issues: brown spots, broken blood vessels, and uneven skin tone. The beauty of this procedure is that we can safely treat the face, neck, chest, or any other body part that has suffered sun-damage!
How it works
IPL treatments work to eliminate brown spots by “shocking” the cells into releasing their pigment. The light penetrates deep into the skin, disrupting the collagen, which starts to regenerate by bundling together more densely. Treatments usually take about a half an hour, depending on the area being treated. Patients have described the sensation as a “rubber band snap”, followed by a hot sensation akin to the feeling of sunburn. Persons with significant freckling and/or hyper- pigmentation will notice that treated skin initially darkens. The darkening of these brown spots only lasts for from a few days or up to a week, before sloughing off and fading into a lighter color than before treatment.
Who benefits from IPL?
The best candidates for IPL treatment are patients with lighter skin tones who desire improvement from such imperfections as uneven skin tone, dull complexion, and discoloration. Darker skin tones and/or tanned skin are not recommended for IPL. This treatment is the perfect “starting point” for those who wish to dramatically improve the appearance and quality of their skin, but are not ready for major surgery. On the other hand, IPL treatment can be used in conjunction with and significantly enhance many surgical procedures. IPL can be the perfect non-invasive procedure used alone or in combination with other therapies, resulting in a healthy, more youthful appearance. If you are considering IPL or any other procedure, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our physicians to find out what your options are.
Maximizing your benefits
A good skin care regimen is important to maximizing the benefits of IPL. Preparing the skin with products containing AHA’s (alpha-hydroxy acids), retinoids, and products containing hydroquinone (a bleaching agent that reduces melanin production), will enhance and maintain your results. A physical sunblock is a must when treating any patient with skin discoloration, as sun and heat can exacerbate dark spots and patches.
How many treatments will I need?
We generally recommend one IPL treatment per decade of the patient’s age. Not everyone has the same amount of sun-damage, so more or less treatments may be required to obtain the desired results. However, improvement in overall skin irregularities can be seen after the very first treatment.
Combining IPL with other procedures
IPL can be combined with almost any other type of treatment, addressing each individual’s specific needs. Non-invasive chemical peels, Microdermabrasion, and Vibraderm are helpful to exfoliate build-up from dead skin cells. IPL is highly recommended prior to surgical procedures in order to rejuvenate the skin and promote healthy healing. Since IPL can minimize long-term redness, it can also be helpful after a procedure, such as a TCA-Medium Depth Peel or C02 Laser resurfacing.
The latest “rave” in the treatment of sun-damage is PDT (photo dynamic therapy). This procedure combines ALA, aminolevulonic acid, a photosensitizing agent, which is applied to the skin an hour prior to IPL treatment. This dynamic duo has proven to dramatically improve fine lines, texture, pore size, acne, oil production, and last but not least, pre-cancerous lesions known as AKs (actinic keratoses). Combining ALA and IPL can reduce the number of regular IPL treatments needed by almost half, but expect a few days of additional downtime and avoid even indirect sunlight for at least 48 hours.
Another highly successful combination for addressing facial aging is IPL and Botox®. A study published in the March 2004 medical journal, Dermatologic Surgery, states remarkable improvement for several different aging components such as facial veins, brown spots, skin texture, and pore size was achieved when combining these treatments compared to results of IPL alone. What is especially impressive about this powerful combination is that you can treat many of your facial aging issues all as in a “lunch-time procedure”, allowing you to return to your normal activities with no recovery period.
Improve red complexions due to rosacea, irregular pigmentation and facial vessels. IPL Photorejuvenation enables us to treat these skin imperfections, safely, easily, and effectively with virtually no “downtime"!
What areas can be treated with IPL Photorejuvenation?
Treatments can be performed on any area of the body. Treatments are especially effective for improving the appearance of the face, neck, chest, arms and hands. Before and After
How many treatments will I need and how do they feel?
A series of 3 to 5 treatments is usually most effective, depending on the area being treated. Treatments are spaced at three to four week intervals and the effects are cumulative. Each session usually takes 30-60 minutes and is administered in the comfort and privacy of our aesthetic suite. Most patients describe the sensations to feel like a snap of a rubber band on the skin, as pulses of energy are delivered through a specially designed hand piece. After treatment the skin may appear a little reddened with a slight tingling or burning sensation that disappears within a couple of hours.
What results can I expect?
Patients with significant freckling, hyperpigmentation and sun damage will notice that the treated skin imperfections will initially appear darker. The darkening of the brown spots lasts for a few days. Then the pigment becomes coarser and gently sloughs off. After one treatment, the skin will have a more even tone with a smoother look and feel. Sunspots fade, improves pore size, vessels disappear and the signs and symptoms of rosacea progressively fade away. What remains is smoother, healthier, younger looking skin!
Are you a candidate for treatments?
The best candidates for IPl treatments are patients who desire improvement of multiple skin imperfections, such as: People who suffer from rosacea and experience flushing and redness of their skin; people with early aging and sun damage who desire more youthful appearing skin; people who’ve undergone chemical or laser peels who wish to maintain their results; and people who cannot take time off work to heal from more invasive therapies.
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