You’ve been out in the sun all summer, and despite your best efforts (wearing a hat, sitting under a beach umbrella, or applying sunscreen- we all do this all the time, right?), you’ve started to notice the effect the sun has had on your skin over the years. I am talking about sun damage in the form of dark spots, uneven skin tone and those fine lines and wrinkles! Did you know that there are treatments available to you that actually help repair and rejuvenate your sun-damaged skin?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), also commonly referred to as a photofacial, helps rejuvenate your skin and improve its appearance by using an intense light source. The light safely penetrates the superficial layer of your skin (epidermis) and targets the deeper layer (dermis), where most of the damage resides. The dark spots you see on the surface of your skin are actually a result of increased melanin production in the deeper layers. The light targets, is absorbed by, and injures the melanin containing cells in the dark spots, without causing injury to the skins surface. The injured cells will eventually make their way to the surface of your skin and flake off, leaving a less evident dark spot, or removing it completely. The IPL can be used to spot treat dark spots or it can be used across the entire face, which is where the term “photofacial” comes from. It can also be used to reduce the appearance of tiny blood vessels called telangiectasia, as well as to treat rosacea!
If it is fine lines and wrinkles that bother you, don’t worry, there is a treatment for that as well! A fractional non-ablative laser (we have one called the 1540 here) can be used to “resurface” the skin by delivering heat deep into the dermis of the skin, eliminating pigmented cells and stimulating collagen production, without damaging the skins surface. The increased collagen production helps plump up the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Want the best of both worlds? You can actually enjoy the benefits of both treatments by combining them into what we call the “three for me” package. “Three for me” addresses dark spots, blood vessels and fine lines and wrinkles, all while promoting collagen production! No matter what you choose to do (IPL, fractional non-ablative, or three for me), in most cases a series of 3-5 treatments is recommended to obtain the best results.
Interested in any of the treatments listed above? Here are a few things to consider:
- While the skins surface is not damaged, most people still experience common side effects such as redness and swelling, and should expect some down time following the procedure.
- Recent sun or tanning bed exposure is a contraindication to treatment! It is important that you wear at least an SPF 30 every day and try to avoid the sun as much as possible a month leading up to treatment, and throughout the course of treatment.
- Active skin care, such as retinol or glycolic acid containing products, can increase your skins sensitivity to light-based therapy and should not be used within 3-4 days prior to treatment. Accutane should not be used within 6 months prior to treatment.
To learn more about any of the treatments listed above and to see if you’re a good candidate for therapy, call us at 708-524-1400 or fill out our contact form today.
