Photofacial

Photofacial is a new type of cosmetic skin treatment which uses intense pulsed light (IPL) to treat redness, rosacea, brown pigment spots, fine wrinkles, large pores, sun damage, and other types of skin damage. Photofacial treatment is sometimes referred to as photorejuvenation. Because Photofacial IPL is highly effective, gentle, and requires no time for recovery, it's becoming a preferred treatment method when compared to alternatives like dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and chemical peel. No other treatment method will provide the same benefits with so little down time.

Photofacial patients report a high level of satisfaction with the treatment, especially when used to diminish symptoms of rosacea. Rosacea is a common condition of the skin which is characterized by redness and a flushed look. It may be caused by sun damage, alcohol consumption, stress, aging, and certain medications. Photofacial can reduce the visible symptoms of rosacea and may eliminate the need for treatment with cortisone cream or antibiotics. Studies have shown that Photofacial will improve redness caused by vascular skin problems and rosacea by up to 90%.

Acne scars and other types of skin scarring also respond well to Photofacial. For deeper scars, Photofacial can be used in conjunction with more aggressive treatments such as microdermabrasion. In addition to facial treatment, Photofacial may also be used on other areas of the body such as neck, chest, arms, hands, and legs. Any area of skin which exhibits the signs of aging, sun spots or broken capillaries is a candidate for Photofacial IPL.

Who is Photofacial for?

Photofacial treatment is ideal for people who are seeking a more even skin tone. There are no age restrictions on who can benefit from Photofacial, since it can be used to treat the effects of sun damage and aging as well as acne scarring and rosacea. Photofacial is one of the most affordable elective skin rejuvenation treatments, which makes it an attractive alternative for budget-conscious patients.

Photofacial may be the correct treatment for people with one or more of the wide range of skin conditions that respond to IPL. Since many types of conditions can be alleviated by treatment, an experienced skin specialist should be consulted to determine if Photofacial treatment is recommended. Photofacial is not effective against deep wrinkles and frown lines. It's not a substitute for facelift when it comes to problems like sagging skin and other advanced signs of aging.

Women who are pregnant should be advised to postpone Photofacial treatment. Individuals who are taking medications which increase skin sensitivity to light or who have skin infections should discuss their conditions with their health care provider before undergoing Photofacial treatment. Patients with immune system disorders are not good candidates for Photofacial. Those who have excessively tanned skin should also avoid treatment until tanning diminishes.

How Photofacial Works

Photofacial works through a special hand held device which delivers high intensity pulses of broadband light. The hand piece allows light to be directed to specific areas of the skin. This light is different from the narrow focused band of a laser beam. IPL uses a full spectrum of light waves, in contrast to the single wavelength in a laser beam. Intense pulsed light is gentle on the surface of the skin, delivering light to the underlying layers of the skin (the dermis). When the light penetrates the dermis, it's absorbed by abnormally dilated blood vessels and pigmentation lesions. The heat from the light impairs the vessel or legion, triggering the body to begin a healing process. In the case of pigmentation lesions, they will be absorbed by the body.

There are different types of IPL for different skin conditions. The VL type is used for vascular lesions such as birthmarks and spider veins, while the PL type targets pigment lesions like age spots and melasma. An added benefit of the thermal effect of any type of IPL is that it causes more collagen to be produced in the dermis, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and giving the skin a healthier and more youthful appearance.

Consultation with the doctor who will perform Photofacial should take place before treatment and all existing medical conditions should be discussed. Photographs may be taken for before and after treatment comparisons. When the Photofacial treatment begins, the patient will be tested to determine the correct settings for the IPL device. The patient is then given an eye cover for protection. A cold gel is applied to the skin. Once the treatment has started, a doctor, nurse or physician's assistant will use the IPL hand piece to deliver pulses of light to the skin. When the light pulses, most people will feel a sensation similar to having a rubber band snapped against the skin.

After a single IPL treatment, the skin will have a more even tone and smoother texture. Shortly after the completion of a treatment session, sunspots and freckles will be less noticeable, and rosacea will diminish. After each treatment, the improvements to the skin will be increasingly more noticeable.

A Photofacial treatment takes less than an hour and requires no downtime. Patients can return to work and a full schedule of activities following treatment. An advantage of Photofacial when compared to other treatments methods such as laser is that there is minimal pain and discomfort and no need for a topical anesthetic. IPL also allows a larger area of skin to be treated than other types of treatment.

How often is Treatment Recommended?

The visible improvements from Photofacial are gradual. A series of from 4 to 6 Photofacial treatments are usually required to see the full benefits of treatment. Treatment sessions are separated by intervals of approximately 3 weeks. Following a complete series of treatments, if care is taken with sun exposure, a repeat treatment isn't need for a year or more. A skin specialist will be able to provide skin care suggestions to help lengthen the amount of time before retreatment is needed.

Photofacial Side Effects

Before beginning Photofacial treatment, the possible risks and expected benefits should be discussed with the doctor who will be administering treatment. Photofacial IPL is safer than laser treatments since there is no damage to the surface of the skin. Some patients may experience mild pain during the procedure, but this usually disappears when the treatment ends and no time is needed for recovery. Patients with sensitive skin may request use of a topical anesthetic cream before treatment and the application of an ice pack or cold compress following treatment to relieve discomfort.

The skin may exhibit increased redness immediately following treatment; this should disappear within 24 hours. Less than 1% of people who undergo Photofacial treatment experience mild blisters and bruising following treatment. These usually heal quickly. In a rare number of cases, swelling of the face may occur and last for 3-5 days.

Who can Provide Photofacial?

Photofacial IPL treatment should be performed by a certified doctor who has experience in using Photofacial to treat skin problems. Before undergoing treatment, the doctor should discuss what the benefits of treatment will be and whether there are any risks or side effects. A qualified doctor may suggest using Photofacial treatment in conjunction with other cosmetic treatments such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, or Botox for even more improvement in the condition of the skin.

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