What Is Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)?
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a fast and safe treatment option for removing sun and age spots. IPL skin rejuvenation works by delivering pulsed light energy to pigmented spots on your skin. IPL’s focus allows for precise age spot removal without damage to the surrounding skin. The best part of the IPL treatment is that it requires no anesthetic. The versatility of IPL makes it an excellent choice for spot removal on the face, chest, arms, legs, and hands – pretty much anywhere on the body!
How Does IPL Skin Rejuvenation Work?
The light from IPL is more scattered and less focused than a laser. IPL penetrates down to the second layer of your skin (dermis) without harming the top layer (epidermis), so it causes less damage to your skin. Pigment cells in your skin absorb the light energy, which is converted into heat. The heat destroys the unwanted pigment to clear up freckles and other spots.
Who Can IPL Skin Rejuvenation Help?
Pigmentation affects so many people. Although some types of pigmented lesions exist at birth, often times pigment represents one of the first signs of aging. That is why so many people are interested in removing pigment. At The Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery, we help remove the visible signs of skin aging with laser light treatment for sun damage and age spots. Our lasers deliver visible outcomes quickly, and they’re a powerful treatment alternative to microdermabrasion and chemical peels.* Treatment sessions take just minutes, so you can resume your busy life right after your session.
Schedule OnlineWhat Does IPL Skin Rejuvenation Treat?
Pigmentation laser treatment reduces the appearance of dark spots and redness on your face and body. The IPL’s areas of treatment include age spots, sun damage, solar lentigines, freckles, skin redness, and facial flushing.
How Long Is Recovery Time?
You should be able to go right back to your regular activities after treatment. The treated area of skin will be red and sensitive for a few hours as if you got sunburned. Your skin may be slightly swollen, too. Your skin will continue to be sensitive for a couple of days after the procedure. You may need to avoid using hot water on the treatment site until your skin heals.
A few days after your treatment, you may notice little brown spots that look like coffee grounds. This is normal and the spots will eventually slough off.
Schedule OnlineWhat to Expect During Treatment
Each IPL skin rejuvenation treatment lasts 15-60 minutes. We will remove all make-up, sunblock, and face creams. Men will be asked to shave on the day of treatment, prior to their arrival. Eye shields will be applied to protect the eyes. A cool soothing gel will be applied to the skin prior to treatment, which will help reduce discomfort. In addition, cold air is blown on the skin to cool the surface and help with any discomfort.
After the procedure, you may be asked to ice the area and will be given any additional post-treatment instructions.
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Dr. Tanghetti’s work has been published in journals such as Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, and Cutis. He is a fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and a member of the California Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Dermatology. For a consultation to discuss IPL treatments, call us at [916] 454.5922 or complete the form below.
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