How Does the IPL Photofacial Work?
A broad spectrum of light is transmitted through a small handpiece that is placed over the skin. The light energy penetrates the tissue targeting specific cells without damaging the cells around it. The targeted cells absorb the energy, the energy turns into heat, and the heat destroys the cells to prevent them from regenerating. The body’s own natural processes then remove the injured tissue from the skin leaving younger and smoother looking skin in its place.
During the treatment, a numbing cream is put on your skin because of the high level of heat that is used and because the treatment can feel like the sting of an elastic band snap. A cooling gel will also be used to counteract the heating sensation that you will experience during the treatment.
An IPL treatment averages 45-60 minutes per session. Typically, patients need anywhere from 3-5 treatments to achieve their desired results. These treatments are spaced 4 weeks apart. There is no downtime with the IPL Photo Facial treatment. Patients may feel like they have a sunburn, but this feeling subsides within a few hours. Your technician may ask you to avoid hot water and sun exposure for 2 days and following that to always use sunscreen when enjoying the outdoors. Blemishes that you have on your face at the time of treatment may darken for up to two weeks while your body works to shed this damaged tissue naturally. Eventually, the scars and blemishes will fade away.