Photorejuvenation

The natural consequences of aging on our skin include sun-induced damage (freckles, age spots, fine blood vessels, confetti-like white marks), scarring, laxity, enlarged pores, and redness caused by fine dilated capillaries and rosacea. Photorejuvenation reduces these signs of aging using non-invasive, painless pulses of light to produce clear, vibrant-looking skin.

Areas to be Treated with Photorejuvenation (IPL)

Photorejuvenation (intense pulsed light or IPL) can reduce the appearance of many signs of skin aging and photodamage – especially unwanted brown spots and redness. Treatments may also improve your skin’s texture while softening fine lines and wrinkles. The face and upper chest are the most popular treatment areas, but other sun-damaged zones such as the arms and legs also respond well. The best candidates for IPL are individuals with lighter skin.

Preparing for Photorejuvenation

A consultation with one of our trained registered nurses is required prior to scheduling an IPL treatment.  During the consultation, your medical and cosmetic history will be thoroughly reviewed, and test spots will be performed.  You should notify your Advanced DermCare provider if you are taking any medications or recently underwent any procedures, as these may interfere with the treatment. Your doctor will advise you if and when medications should be discontinued. In addition, patients with a history of scarring, bleeding, keloid formation, cold sores or poor healing may not be ideal candidates for photorejuvenation. Please tell us if you have any of these conditions.

Photorejuvenation Treatment

Photorejuvenation works by using non-invasive, painless pulses of light to even out pigmentation, reduce redness and stimulate collagen growth for an overall fuller and younger-looking appearance. During a typical treatment, patients may experience mild discomfort, similar to the sensation of a rubber band lightly snapping against the skin. A topical anesthetic may be administered to reduce discomfort but this is rarely necessary.

Recovery from Photorejuvenation

Immediately after IPL treatment, patients will experience temporary mild redness, potentially followed by subtle darkening and peeling of their freckles and brown spots over the next few days. There is no significant downtime and a low risk of complications — an advantage over other more aggressive skin rejuvenation methods such as deep chemical or laser peels (which may cause significant redness, crusting and swelling). However, patients should wear sunscreen and avoid intense sun exposure after treatment, and should not undergo IPL treatment if their skin is tanned or darker than usual.

Results of Photorejuvenation

Multiple sessions of about 20 minutes each are performed every few weeks until the desired result has been achieved. Results will be noticeable after the first few treatments and will continue to improve as treatment progresses.