Now that the New Year is here, most of us are thinking about steps we can take to feel healthier, more beautiful, and more confident. While you may be tempted to stick with the usual promises about diet and exercise, resolutions don’t have to focus on discipline. This year, try setting a couple of beauty and pampering goals that help you look and feel gorgeous. For example, if you’ve ever spent time squinting in front of the mirror to try and remember what you look like without the brown spots and sun damage on your face, then you may want to add IPL Photofacial to your list of resolutions for 2018. A radiant, youthful complexion may be the best gift you give yourself all year long.
What is IPL Photofacial, and how does it work?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, and this non-invasive cosmetic treatment uses short pulses of light to target age spots, brown spots, sunspots, and irregular pigmentation on the face, chest, or hands. The heat from the light pulses breaks down excess pigment into tiny particles, which are then carried away by the body’s lymphatic system. Your skin responds by repairing the “damage” and generating fresh, new blemish-free skin cells. The skin-rejuvenating results include a more even skin tone, diminished fine-lines and wrinkles, and a radiant complexion.
What to expect during your IPL Photofacial treatment
Before your IPL Photofacial session, we’ll evaluate your skin to make sure IPL is the right treatment to help you meet your cosmetic goals. The best candidates for IPL Photofacial have light skin that is blemished with blotches, brown spots, rosacea, or sun damage. Because the treatment targets melanin, people with tanned or naturally dark skin have a higher risk of complications or permanent changes in pigmentation. Those who use products containing Retin A or glycolic acid should stop using them for at least a week prior to treatment in order to lower the risk of skin irritation.
When you arrive for your IPL Photofacial treatment, we will provide you with protective eyewear and apply a cooling gel to your face, neck, or other treatment area to help alleviate discomfort and decrease redness. Then, the technician will glide the IPL hand piece over your skin, directing the light pulses evenly across the entire treatment area. The sensation is similar to the light stinging snap of a rubber band. For the full face, a single treatment takes about 20 minutes.
After your treatment, you may experience some redness and mild discomfort. In some cases, your body will dispose of the excess pigment through small darkened spots that flake off on their own after a couple of days. It’s crucial to avoid direct sunlight and to use sunscreen following your IPL procedure. Adhering to all of your doctor’s post-procedure instructions regarding skin care will help you move quickly through the brief healing process so you can enjoy your gorgeous results.
For people with minor discoloration concerns, one treatment session a year is enough to help them maintain an even skin tone and a radiant complexion. Others may require a series of sessions for optimal results.
What are the benefits of an IPL Photofacial?
While the IPL Photofacial effectively addresses pigmentation issues, the benefits don’t stop there. When performed by a skilled and experienced medical professional and overseen by a licensed physician, an IPL Photofacial treatment can:
- Treat of dark spots and freckles
- Correct of sun damage
- Address hyperpigmentation
- Clear blemishes and rosacea
- Diminish scars (including acne scars)
- Minimize pores
- Soften fine lines and wrinkles
- Tighten skin
- Stimulate collagen production
- Improve skin tone and texture
And all with no downtime! You can have an IPL Photofacial treatment on your lunch hour and return to work afterward. You may want to bring some light makeup with you to your appointment to cover any redness, but there’s no need to take time off to recover.
What are you waiting for? A radiant complexion is within reach today at San Diego Body Contouring
At San Diego Body Contouring, we’re dedicated to providing top-notch cosmetic procedures in San Diego. Whether you’re looking to rejuvenate your complexion or enhance your body contours, we’ve got you covered. Our doctors have decades of experience in helping people look and feel beautiful, and we offer a range of cosmetic services and procedures that can help you start the New Year with confidence.
To schedule a consultation or to learn more about our services, give us a call today at (619) 697-1325.
