Kathleen M. Marc, MD, Medical Director
Board Certified by the American Board of OB/GYN
Dolly Parton put it clearly and frankly in Steel Magnolias when she said to her friends, “Time marches on and, sooner or later, you realize it is marching across your face.”
Who doesn’t love summer and the change of pace it brings? We spend time outdoors soaking up the air and the sun and forget, if only for a brief moment, about the demands of life. Americans LOVE to “soak up the sun” and get that sun-kissed glow. However, those harsh UV rays can cause swelling, irregular pigmentation, wrinkles, leathery skin, and other signs of premature aging.
The skin is the largest organ of the human body. As we age, many of us see the effects of the years on our skin very clearly. In our early 30s we start to notice the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and just an uneven skin tone in general. This is due to the fact that at that age our body decreases its production of collagen and elastin and cell turnover begins to decrease. This makes it more difficult for skin to recover from inflammation and injury. Treatments with intense pulsed light (IPL) can be very effective in improving these concerns and others.
WHAT IS INTENSE PULSED LIGHT (IPL)?
Intense pulsed light treatments are similar to laser treatments. The difference is that a laser focuses just one wavelength of light at your skin, while IPL releases light of many different wavelengths. IPL therapy is considered a non-ablative resurfacing technique, which means that it targets the lower layers of skin (dermis) without affecting the top layers of skin (epidermis). 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. Or, when used to remove unwanted hair, it destroys the hair follicle to prevent the hair from growing again.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN IPL TREATMENT?
During the treatment, both the patient and the skincare professional will wear protective goggles. After cleansing the skin, the skincare professional will apply a thin coat of gel (used to cool the skin), then place the glass surface of a handheld device directly onto the skin. The device pulses flashes of light, which continue until the desired area has been treated. The length of time and the intensity of the sensation will vary depending upon the severity and size of the damaged area. Once the treatment is finished, the gel is removed and a cold compress may be applied for several minutes. The final step includes a nourishing moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Immediately post-treatment, the patient may notice some minor redness and swelling, similar to that of a sunburn. The level of redness depends on the type of treatment being received and the skin’s sensitivity to the treatment. If treating freckles and sun spots, dryness and flaking around the treated area may occur. Generally speaking, most side effects will resolve themselves in less than a week. However, this may be prolonged for more intense treatments. The skincare professional may also recommend at-home skincare products that help complement results.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR IPL TREATMENTS?
Intense pulsed light treatments are ideal for individuals with light to medium complexions who wish to improve fine lines and wrinkles, discoloration, skin tone, sun damage, vascular lesions, or capillary inflammation. Because of the multiple wavelengths used during an IPL treatment, it can be adjusted for a spectrum of skin tones. However, fair skin that is relatively elastic and “freckle-prone” shows the greatest improvement.
Deeper skin tones have more melanin. They are more prone to blistering and post-inflammatory discoloration because melanin is one of the primarily targets of an IPL treatment. Those with deeper tones may be a little more difficult to treat, but an experienced skin professional will still get good results.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON USES OF IPL?
You can use IPL to minimize or remove:
• age spots
• sun damage
• freckles
• birthmarks
• broken blood vessels on your face
• rosacea
• hair on your face, neck, back, chest, legs, underarms, or bikini line
WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR IPL TREATMENTS?
Although the range and wavelength of intense pulsed light can easily be controlled, the treatment is not risk-free and requires a knowledgeable, experienced skincare professional for the best results. If you’ve spent your summer getting the perfect tan, maybe now is the time to look at the damage those heavenly rays may have caused.
Aesthetic Treatment Centers
As a leader in the industry, ATC always offers the latest technology in skin and body care. By combining their expertise through industry leaders, innovative procedures, and cutting-edge products, you will always receive remarkable results within the serene, inviting atmosphere of the Aesthetic Treatment Centers.
To find out more about their procedures and expertise, please call 239-322-3790 for an appointment, or visit them online at atcnaples.com.
Aesthetic Treatment Centers
Hours: Monday – Friday 9-5
Saturday: By appointment
(239) 322-3790 | atcnaples.com
Office
720 Goodlette-Frank Road, Suite 300
Naples FL 34102