IPL

Age spots, sun damage, and visible spider veins commonly develop over time, but you can take steps to restore your complexion, tighten your skin, and treat pigmented skin. The team at SANTÉ Aesthetics & Wellness have helped many patients regain younger-looking skin using the Icon™ Aesthetic System to perform intense pulsed light (IPL) photofacials. To learn more about how IPL treatment can permanently eliminate skin pigment problems, call our NW Portland office or book an appointment online.

What is IPL?

IPL lasers send out intense pulses of light. However, IPL devices are unique from other lasers because they use a broad range of wavelengths. By comparison, a laser operates at one wavelength.

The team at SANTÉ Aesthetics & Wellness can customize your treatment by filtering the wavelengths, using several to treat multiple skin problems during one treatment session.

Additionally, Mistral Radiancy adds direct heat to the IPL treatment, creating a balance between light and heat energy that produces optimal results without the need for skin cooling.

What skin problems are treated with IPL?

IPL treatments are called photo facials or phototherapy because they significantly diminish different types of unwanted skin pigmentation and redness. An IPL can treat:

• Age spots, sunspots, brown spots, and freckles
• Uneven skin texture
• Spider veins
• Rosacea
• Acne
• Enlarged pores
• Redness from broken capillaries
• Pre-cancerous brown spots

In addition to targeting brown and red pigments, an IPL photofacial also tightens and strengthens your skin, which softens fine lines and wrinkles.

How does IPL treatment produce results?

Different IPL wavelengths are absorbed by specific pigments, such as the brown pigments in freckles and age spots and the reddish-blue pigments in veins.

As the targeted pigments absorb light energy, they’re heated just enough to destroy the pigmented cells. Then your body naturally clears away the cellular debris, which permanently removes the discoloration.

The intense pulse of an IPL can also penetrate to deeper layers of your skin, where the heat triggers collagen production. As old skin sheds at the surface of your skin, it’s replaced with new skin that’s produced below the surface. When new skin gets a boost of collagen, it’s stronger and tighter, which diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.

What should I expect during treatment with an IPL?

Photofacials typically last 30-45 minutes, depending on the cosmetic concern being treated. Most of the patients at SANTÉ Aesthetics & Wellness tolerate IPL treatments well. However, each person’s sensitivity is different, so your provider may use a topical anesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable throughout your session.

You should expect the treated area to be a little red, much like getting a mild sunburn, but that only lasts up to 24 hours, and you won’t need to take downtime. If you have freckles or brown spots treated, they usually look darker and may form a crust that lasts up to 10 days.