Reverse the Signs of Weathering and Sun Damage with IPL?

I’m sure you have some memories of playing or relaxing in the sun … warm, fun, on the sandy beach or maybe boating or playing at the pool.  But all that fabulous sun can leave you with some unwanted sun damage.  Evidence of sun exposure can show up as blotchiness, freckles, brown pigment, and small blood vessels (telangiectasia) on your face, neck, and chest and even brown spots on the backs of your hands.

This is what the IPL machine looks like.

WHAT EXACTLY IS IPL?

The primary goal of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is to make your skin tone or color more even.  It was approved by the FDA in 1995, and is a quick and powerful flash of light that is similar to laser.  But instead of a single wavelength of light as with a laser, IPL uses a broad spectrum of light that is selective for pigment and small blood vessels (or redness).  The light energy penetrates just below the skin’s surface and destroys either the brown pigment or red blood vessels – but leaves your surrounding normal skin alone.  Pretty cool technology!

COULD I BENEFIT FROM IPL TREATMENTS?

Anyone with photodamage that appears as blotchiness, discoloration, brown spots, or small blood vessels (telangiectasia) could benefit from IPL procedures. Additionally, one of the most gratified groups of patients that see results are those with rosacea, a type of adult acne and skin inflammation. The IPL can reduce the acne component of rosacea, telangiectasia, generalized redness, and even flushing.

BOTTOM LINE … FLUSHING, SMALL VESSELS, BROWN SPOTS, DISCOLORATION AND ACNE CAN BE IMPROVED WITH IPL!

A side benefit from multiple treatments (approx. 3-5) with IPL is that it also can help reduce pore size and improve skin texture and laxity by promoting collagen production. The light not only has an impact on the surface of the skin but also heats the cells in the deeper layer of skin. These cells, called fibroblasts, are stimulated to produce more collagen, which improves texture and skin laxity.  Nice side benefit!

WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED?

Your face, neck, chest, backs of hands, and sometimes arms (depending on your skin type – you must have fair skin for the arms).

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO BEFORE I BOOK AN IPL SESH?

Make sure you don’t have tanned skin (even a fake one), as that’ll mess with the machine’s ability to target the unwanted pigment.  And it helps NOT to wear makeup when you arrive for your appointment (especially mascara – it tends to get everywhere with the eye shields).

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT LIKE?  WILL IT HURT?!

Here is how it goes down at our office…

You will be asked to arrive about 15 minutes before your treatment time and topical numbing cream will be placed on the area to be treated.  Once you are comfortable and numb, I will take the cream off and place eye shields over your eyes.  Next cold gel (actually ultrasound gel) goes on the area.  I’ll talk to you during the procedure so that you know what is going on (since you have on eye shields).

The IPL handpiece has a clear rectangular, flat crystal that is placed on your skin with each pulse of light.  The pulse is a hot, sharp snap.  And I won’t lie – it hurts a bit, but is mostly startling because of the bright light.  It takes about 15-20 minutes for a full face to be treated.  Sometimes I will use multiple passes and settings depending on what we are treating.

After the treatment, I’ll take off the gel, remove the eye shields, clean your face (or whichever area we are treating) a bit and rub on a soothing firming mask.  Lastly, I add a tinted mineral sunscreen before you leave.  If you bring makeup, you can also put that on before you are on your way.

WHAT WILL I LOOK LIKE JUST AFTER A TREATMENT?  IS THERE DOWNTIME?

This is what your brown pigment/spots may look like after the treatment. Almost like coffee grounds. Makeup can be applied on top because the skin is not broken at all.

Immediately after the treatment the area will be red (like a sunburn) in some areas and any brown pigment or spots will look darker brown.  But the advantage is that there is NO broken skin.  NO scabs or open areas to care for.

SO ULTIMATELY THAT MEANS THERE IS LITTLE TO NO DOWNTIME!

The red areas will look better in a few hours.  Any of the brown pigment will turn darker brown and the next day will be small crusts that look similar to coffee grounds. The darker areas will last 7-10 days before falling off or fading away. One secret is that after a week if you still have the coffee ground look, you can DIY a paste of baking soda and water and GENTLY exfoliate them off.

Very rarely, someone will experience swelling under their eyes and upper cheeks the next morning after the treatment. If this happens, it may last 5-7 days at the most. Another rare possibility is a bruise. This can happen when blood vessels are treated, but resolves on its own in a few days.

ARE THERE NEGATIVE COMPLICATIONS THAT CAN HAPPEN?

IPL is safe and the technology has been perfected over the 20+ years it has been around.  But for an operator who isn’t experienced with using IPL, it can be tricky because the IPL uses heat to do its thing.  If a wrong setting or energy intensity is used, you could end up with burns that can cause permanent discoloration and scars.  I have heard multiple horror stories from those that went to someone who didn’t have enough experience.

To have the best outcome, you need to see someone who knows the machine well and what settings to use.  Make sure to do your research before diving in!

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

Some people see great results after the first session, but usually 3 to 5 sessions are recommended, one month apart.

HOW DO I MAINTAIN MY RESULTS?

To maintain results, it is recommended to have an IPL treatment once to twice a year.

Of course, for maintenance, it’s also crazy important to protect your skin from the sun by wearing SPF 30 to 50 always!

One of my favorite sunscreens to use after IPL is  SkinCeuticals.  Both will not cause stinging or irritation on sensitive post-procedure skin.