Q:
What is Intense Pulse Light IPL Photo-Rejuvenation?
A:
Intense Pulse Light Photo-Rejuvenation is a new treatment
method that uses light energy to improve the appearance
of sun-damaged skin, rosacea, wrinkles and other skin
imperfections.
IPL
can:
- Remove
brown age spots
- Reduce
or eliminate blood vessels from the face, legs
or other location
- Reduce
facial flushing and redness
- Achieve
smoother skin and smaller pore size
- Reduces
fine wrinkles
- Reduces
skin darkening that some people develop on the
face (melasma) & neck
- Dramatically
improve the appearance of sun-damaged and tanning
parlor-damaged skin
Q:
How does it work?
A:
Pulses of light are moved over the skin surface. Light
energy is converted into heat energy that selectively
destroys brown age spots and unwanted enlarged red
blood vessels. This energy also affects oil glands
and collagen to decrease the size of skin pores and
improve fine wrinkles.
Q:
Are there any pre-treatment instructions before IPL
Photo-Rejuvenation?
A:
We advise patients to protect their skin from the
sun for at least two weeks before treatment so that
the skin is not tanned. All makeup, moisturizers,
sunscreen, etc., should be washed off before treatment.
If you have a history of fever blisters, cold sores,
or herpes with outbreaks in the area to be treated,
an antiviral pill can be prescribed by your family
Doctor before treatment to help prevent an outbreak
after IPL treatment. To minimize any discomfort, we
recommend a topical anesthetic cream 45 to 60 minutes
before the scheduled treatment time. You should discuss
the use of this cream with one of our staff beforehand.
Q:
What areas of the skin can be treated and how long
does each treatment take?
A:
Virtually any area can be treated, though the most
popular areas are the face, neck and back of the hands.
An appointment time of 15 minutes is made for small
areas and 30 minutes for larger areas like the whole
face or legs. Actual treatment time is usually 1 to
15 minutes.
Q:
How long before I can return to my regular activities?
A:
There is usually no recovery time and you can resume
normal activities immediately after treatment, although
for some clients the treated area may remain red for
a couple of hours or longer. Some people, particularly
those with facial skin redness or rosacea, are more
prone to develop facial swelling for a few days that
may be more noticeable under the eyes.
Q:
How long does it take my skin to improve?
A:
Enlarged blood vessels can disappear immediately after
treatment. Brown age spots become darker in color
before they flake off in about a week. It may take
several months for the wrinkle reducing full effects
to take place.
Q:
Is the IPL Photo-Rejuvenation process painful?
A:
Intense pulse light treatment produces very short-lived
(fractions of a second) flashes of light that cause
a transient hot discomfort followed be a sunburn like
sensation that usually lasts for an hour or so, but
can last longer. To minimize any discomfort, we recommend
you apply a topical anesthetic cream before the scheduled
treatment time. You should discuss the use of this
cream with one of our staff beforehand. We supply
clietns with a cold gel pad to place on their skin
as needed to soothe any discomfort immediately after
treatment.
Q:
How often will I need to be treated?
A:
For treatment of blood vessels and brown age spots,
usually only one to three treatments is/are needed.
Treatments are usually separated a month apart. For
maximal effects on skin wrinkles, a series of five
treatments are generally recommended, and it is possible
that a subsequent treatment will be necessary in future
years. Caring for your skin properly will help diminish
the need for future treatments. The will provide you
with a skin care regimen to help prolong the benefits
of IPL Photo-Rejuvenation treatment.
Q:
Who should avoid having this procedure?
A:
Patients who are pregnant, have a sun-sensitive disorders
like lupus, are sun-tanned (or people planning on
getting a lot of sun exposure in the first 3 or 4
weeks after treatment), or are using a tanning bed,
should not be treated. Patients must not have been
treated with isotretinoin (Accutane) during the year
before treatment. If you have active fever blisters
(cold sores), you should not be treated in that area.
If you are prone to fever blisters/cold sores, an
anti-herpes pill can be taken before and after treatment.
Q:
What side effects should I expect?
A:
Transient discomfort can be expected, as described
above. There will likely be redness in the treated
area immediately following treatment, usually lasting
less than an hour, and on rare occasions it may last
up to 3 days. Mild blistering rarely occurs and clears
in a few days. Post treatment pigmentation changes
may be noted on occasion, but it is treatable. The
brown age spots will turn darker in color before they
flake off in about a week. Mild swelling of the face
can occur, particularly in patients with facial redness
or rosacea. It usually is most noticeable under the
eyes and can last for a few days. Some permanent hair
loss in the treated area can occur.
Changes
in Fees
Although
prices usually change at the beginning of each year,
the below prices are subject to change at anytime,
to reflect equipment costs, advertising fees, etc.
In general, we will charge the price paid at the time
of the first treatment, for subsequent treatments,
for up to one year after the first treatment.
Q:
How do I get started?
A:
Schedule an appointment for a free IPL Photo-Rejuvenation
consultation so you can be evaluated to see if you
are a good candidate for this treatment. Additional
questions will be answered and pre-treatment instructions
will be provided.
Call
703-288-0085 for your free consultation.
